 Joseph C. Trees, "a true Pitt man" according to the 1915 The Owl student yearbook. | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | 1870 Delmont, Pennsylvania |
| Died: | May 20, 1943 (aged 72–73) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: | Pitt |
| Position: | Tackle, Center |
| Career history | |
| |
Joseph Clifton Trees (1870 - May 20, 1943) was a college football player at the University of Pittsburgh, the first athlete to receive an athletic subsidization at the school, and, possibly, an early professional football player. He later made millions of dollars in the oil industry and became a trustee and significant benefactor to the university and its athletic department. His hobbies included philanthropy, scientific research and agriculture. His 2,600-acre (11 km2) estate in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania was devoted to a large extent to fruit trees.