The Capitols started play in 1968 as members of the CFL and played their home games at Bush Stadium. The team won the COFL championship in 1969, the final season of the league. On April 4, 1970, with the future of the COFL uncertain, the Capitols moved to the rival Atlantic Coast Football League.[2] The Capitols went 6–6 in 1970.[3] After one season in the ACFL, Indianapolis announced that it was ceasing operations due to a lack of fan support and adequate playing facilities.[4]
A reconstituted version of the Indianapolis Capitols started play in the Midwest Football League in 1972 as the Indiana Caps.[5] The Caps won the MWL championship in 1972 after posting an 8–2 regular season record.[6] The team changed its name to the Hoosier Caps in April 1973,[7] then again in June to the Indy Caps.[8] They had a farm team agreement with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) for the 1973 season.[9] They went 8–2 in 1973,[10] and were named league champions after a coin toss to break a tie.[11] Indy won the Capitol Division in 1974 with a record of 9–1,[12] and lost in the championship game against the Flint Sabres, 15–2.[13] The team withdrew from the MFL before the 1975 season.[14]
Indianapolis returned to the MFL in 1977 as the Indy Superstars,[15] coached by Percy Griffin.[16] The team went 2–4 and finished in third place for the season.[17] They changed their team name in 1978 to the Indy Kaps.[18] They placed third in their division with a 6–4 record,[19] and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Kalamazoo All-Stars.[20]
In 1979, the team joined the Northern States Football League.[21][22]
^Gill, Bob; Maher, Tod; Brainerd, Steve (2010). Outsiders II: Minor League and Independent Football 1951–1985. St. Johann Press. pp. 113–116. ISBN9781878282651.
