Ross Fiscus
William Ross Fiscus (April 2, 1870 – November 6, 1950) was an early professional American football player and coach. He was one of the first pro players on record.
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 2, 1870 Armstrong Township, Pennsylvania |
| Died | November 6, 1950 (aged 80) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Playing career | |
| 1891–1894 | Allegheny A. A. |
| 1896 | Greensburg A. A. |
| Position(s) | Lineman, halfback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1897–1899 | Geneva |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 6–9–2 |
Playing career
Fiscus played for the Allegheny Athletic Association professional football team as a lineman in 1891 and 1892, but by 1893 he had successfully earned the role as halfback.[1] Fiscus continued to play several more years for Allegheny, even dropping out of college to do so.[2] This would have put him alongside the first recorded professional football player Pudge Heffelfinger, who also played for Allegheny. In 1896, he played alongside his brother Lawson for the Greensburg Athletic Association.
Coaching career
Fiscus was the second head football coach at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and he held that position for three seasons, from 1897 until 1899. His coaching record at Geneva was 6–9–2.[3]
Later life
Fiscus died in 1950 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[4]
References
- Pro Football Researchers Archived 2010-11-26 at the Wayback Machine "The Weekly Wage Professionalism Expands in Pittsburgh: 1893"
- Pro Football Researchers Archived 2010-11-26 at the Wayback Machine "The A’s Have It: The 3A’s Triumph: 1894"
- Geneva College coaching records
- "Obituaries". The Indiana Gazette. November 7, 1950. p. 2. Retrieved July 21, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
