In July, 2010, the Indoor Football League (IFL) announced that there would be an expansion franchise placed in Lehigh Valley for the 2011 season.[1] It was also announced that the team would be owned by Glenn W. Clark, a Wilmington, Delaware businessman.[1] Later in July the team announced that they had named Dan Kuhn as the team's general manager and would be holding a "Name The Team" contest was held to choose a name for the organization. Over 700 names were submitted and the top five were chosen by management.[2] These names were Vipers, Ironmen, Blast, Gamblers, and Steelhawks.[2] Fans were then asked to vote on the name they thought would be best for the team with over 70% of the votes being cast for Steelhawks.[3] Brooke Trautwein, the fan who submitted the Steelhawks name, was given a prize package that included season tickets and Steelhawks' merchandise.[3]
The team played their home games under head coach Chris Thompson at the Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Steelhawks earned a 4-10 record, placing 2nd in the Atlantic Division, and failed to qualify for post-season play.