Truman State University Athletics

Leo Petree was a three-sports standout for the Bulldogs in the second decade of the 20th century. When he first entered the university his family lived in Kirksville but later moved to St. Joseph. Mr. Petree, who carried the nickname, Big Pete, was on the 1916 football team, which was the university's first conference championship squad in the original Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association. He played three seasons and was a fullback and kicker. Mr. Petree was named to the All-Missouri team in 1915 and 1916 and served two seasons as captain of the Bulldog football team. He also competed in baseball four years and was captain in 1917. He batted .408 in 1916 and was named to the All-Missouri team in 1916 and 1917. The 1917 baseball squad captured the state championship. He also competed in track in 1913 and 1914 in the shot and discus and was the leadoff man in the half-mile relay. He also played basketball. Mr. Petree was a charter member of the K-Club and wore his white letter sweater when he returned to Kirksville in the fall of 1966 for the 50th reunion of his college class. He was involved in college extra-curricular activities, including the Student Senate, Debate Club, Music Club, chorus, sextet and operas. For three years after graduation in 1917, he was a member of the Cleveland Indians' professional football team, performing in the backfield with Jim Thorpe. During World War I, Mr. Petree served in the Army in France as a second lieutenant. He then taught physics and coached football at West Woodward High School in Toledo, Ohio until 1929 when he got into sales work and held several positions until the end of World War II. During the war, he served in Civil Defense. Later he was employed by Railway Express Agency until his retirement in 1963. Mr. Petree died in 1970.