John Van Cleve

John Van Cleve
Van Cleve at Lehigh
Born:(1871-09-26)September 26, 1871
South Amboy, New Jersey, U.S.
Died:January 9, 1914(1914-01-09) (aged 42)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)End, halfback
Career history
As coach
1898Pittsburgh College
As player
1892Lehigh
1893–1894Allegheny Athletic Association
1895Duquesne Country and Athletic Club
1896–1897Pittsburgh Athletic Club
1898Pittsburgh College
Career highlights and awards

John Moore Van Cleve (September 26, 1871 – January 9, 1914) was an American football player and coach, and one of the first known professional players of the sport. After playing college football at Lehigh, he played five seasons for independent teams in or near Pittsburgh and served in 1898 as player-coach for Pittsburgh College, later known as Duquesne University.