Gresham Poe

Gresham Hough Poe (July 30, 1880^[1] – April 25, 1956^[2]) was an American football player and coach. He was the head coach of the University of Virginia football program from 1903 to 1903. Prior to that he played as a substitute quarterback for the Princeton Tigers. He was a member of the Poe brothers, six celebrated football players to play football at Princeton in the late 19th and early 20th century. He, and all of his brothers were also second cousins, twice removed of American author Edgar Allan Poe. Outside of football, Poe was a noted wrestler.

Gresham H. Poe

Poe pictured in The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association football guide, 1893
Born:	(1880-07-30)July 30, 1880 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died:	April 25, 1956(1956-04-25) (aged 75) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)	Quarterback
College	Princeton
Career history
As coach
1903	Virginia
As player
1901	Princeton
Career highlights and awards
Coaching record: 7–2–1
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	U.S. Army
Years of service	1917–1918
Rank	Lieutenant
Battles / wars	World War I Western Front

While he did not see much playing time at Princeton, Poe almost managed to rally the Tigers from 12–0 deficit over Yale game, in 1901. Late in the game, Poe came off the bench, received a punt and gained 23 yards. According to Harper's Weekly, "Poe's presence seemed to rejuvenate the Tigers, and for the last 10 minutes of the contest they fairly outplayed the weary Elis. The ball was twice carried half the length of the field, but the whistle blew before Princeton could score." he graduated from Princeton in 1902.

During World War I, he fought in France while serving in the United States Army.

Head coaching record

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs
Virginia Orange and Blue (Independent) (1903)
1903	Virginia	7–2–1
Virginia:		7–2–1
Total:		7–2–1

References

1. "The Maryland and Delaware Genealogist". 1988.
2. "Gresham Poe of Princeton Fame Dies; Starred With Five Brothers on Gridiron". The New York Times. April 27, 1956. p. 27. Retrieved April 15, 2015.

Further reading

• "Four Poes Fight Overseas; Princeton Football Family Busy Subduing the Hun" (PDF). New York Times. October 13, 1918. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
• Leitch, Alexander (2003). "Memories of the Poe brothers". Princeton Weekly Bulletin. 93 (6). Princeton University: 1–2.
• The Sun Alamanc for 1899. A.S. Abell Company. 1899. Retrieved April 5, 2015.