BUTLER TWP — Butler County's new minor league football team has changed its name, switched leagues and found a place to call home.

"It's been pretty crazy the past few weeks, but things are falling into place," coach Kirk Bergbigler said.

Originally tagged the Butler County Bulls of the Gridiron Football Alliance, the franchise is now known as the Butler County Bears and will compete in the United States Football Alliance.

"When we went to incorporate the franchise as a new business, we found out the previous owners had incorporated the nickname Bulls," Bergbigler said. "The easiest thing for us to do was change the nickname to Bears."

The GFA ended last season with only four teams and wanted the Bears to sign a two-year contract. Bergbigler and general manager Tony Drescher wanted a one-year deal.

"We wanted to see how everything played out," said Bergbigler, who co-owns the team with Drescher. "If it all worked, we said we'd sign a two-year contract next season."

Instead, the Bears wound up joining the 25-team USFA, replacing the Western Pennsylvania Warhawks, who folded during the offseason.

The Warhawks originally played their home games at Seneca Valley's NexTier Stadium before moving closer to Pittsburgh.

"I wanted to join the USFA all along, but, at first, our team organized too late for that," Bergbigler said. "When the Warhawks dropped out, we just took their place.

"The USFA is in its sixth year and has been growing every year. It's on very solid ground. Since I used to coach the Warhawks, I knew a lot of their players and got a bunch of them to come up here."

Bergbigler said he has about 50 players in place and is looking for more.

The Bears will call the Karns City High stadium home and will play five Saturday night games there.

The Bears start their 10-game regular season with three road games: June 5 at Uniontown, June 12 at the West Virginia Lightning in Charleston, June 19 at the Columbus (Ohio) War Eagles.

The first home game is June 26 against the Uniontown Power.

"We were supposed to open at home June 5, but that's Karns City's rain date for graduation," Bergbigler said. "The league commissioner worked with us in adjusting the schedule."

Those interested in playing for the Bears can call Bergbigler at 724-991-1861.

Nikki Salba of New Castle is forming a cheerleading squad for the team. She has eight cheerleaders now and is seeking eight more. Call Salba at 724-923-9240.

All players and cheerleaders must be at least 18 years old.