Ross Fiscus
Encyclopedia
Ross Fiscus was an early professional football
player and coach in the United States. He was one of the first pro players on record.
professional football team as an offensive lineman in 1891 and 1892, but by 1893 he had successfully earned the role as halfback
. Fiscus continued to play several more years for Allegheny, even dropping out of college to do so. This would have put him alongside the first recorded professional football player William "Pudge" Heffelfinger
, who also played for Allegheny. In 1896, he played alongside his brother Lawson
for the Greensburg Athletic Association
.
coach for the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes
located in Beaver Falls
, Pennsylvania
, United States
, and he held that position for three seasons, from 1897 until 1899. His coaching record at Geneva was 6 wins, 9 losses, and 2 ties. As of the completion of the 2007 season, this ranks him 18th at Geneva in total wins and 21st at Geneva in winning percentage (0.412).
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and coach in the United States. He was one of the first pro players on record.
Playing history
Fiscus played for the Allegheny Athletic AssociationAllegheny Athletic Association
The Allegheny Athletic Association was an athletic club that fielded the first ever professional American football player and later the first fully professional football team. The organization was founded in 1890 as a regional athletic club in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which is today the North...
professional football team as an offensive lineman in 1891 and 1892, but by 1893 he had successfully earned the role as halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
. Fiscus continued to play several more years for Allegheny, even dropping out of college to do so. This would have put him alongside the first recorded professional football player William "Pudge" Heffelfinger
William Heffelfinger
-External links:...
, who also played for Allegheny. In 1896, he played alongside his brother Lawson
Lawson Fiscus
Ira Lawson Fiscus was one of the first professional football players. He attended Princeton University, where his outstanding play at offensive guard earned him the title Samson of Princeton, before going on to play professionally with the Allegheny Athletic Association in 1891 and the Greensburg...
for the Greensburg Athletic Association
Greensburg Athletic Association
The Greensburg Athletic Association was an early organized football team, based in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, that played from 1890 until 1900. The team began as an amateur football club in 1890 and was composed primarily of locals before several professional players were added for the 1895 season...
.
Coaching history
After completing his professional career, Fiscus was the second head college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach for the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes
Geneva College
Geneva College is a Christian liberal arts college in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, United States, north of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1848, in Northwood, Ohio, the college moved to its present location in 1880, where it continues to educate a student body of about 1400 traditional undergraduates in...
located in Beaver Falls
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Beaver Falls is a city in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,987 at the 2010 census. It is located 31 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, and on the Beaver River, six miles from its confluence with the Ohio River...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and he held that position for three seasons, from 1897 until 1899. His coaching record at Geneva was 6 wins, 9 losses, and 2 ties. As of the completion of the 2007 season, this ranks him 18th at Geneva in total wins and 21st at Geneva in winning percentage (0.412).