Russell named USTFCCCA DII Executive Director
Doug Spatafore
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Sports
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In his new position, Russell will preside over the DII Board of Directors and, in conjunction with the CEO of the USTFCCCA, will act as the representative to the NCAA Division II coaching membership.
A 1996 Lock Haven graduate, Russell is no stranger to the USTFCCCA Board of Directors. For the last three years he has served as the Secretary for the national board, which is comprised of members from NCAA Division I, II and III institutions, and has served as the Chairperson of the Awards Committee.
"I am humbled to have been chosen by my fellow coaches to serve them in this capacity," says Russell. "It is my goal to work with Division II cross country and track and field coaches, as well as the NCAA and USTFCCCA national office, to provide our student athletes with the best possible experience at the collegiate level."
As the DII Executive Director, Russell will assist in lobbying the NCAA Track & Field and Cross Country Sport Committee on issues of importance to the sports. During his two-year term he will also serve as an ad-hoc member of all Division II committees, and at each year's annual convention he will preside over the Division II general sessions.
"I look forward to representing Lock Haven University, as well as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), Atlantic Region and Division II, in moving the sports of cross country and track and field forward," states Russell. "I believe our association can do a lot more to simplify the rules of our sport in order to be more efficient and easily-understood. Working with many initiatives that are unique to Division II, such as the Scholar-Athlete and Meet Enhancement programs, is something I'm also looking forward to."
Russell is just the second Executive Director since re-organization, replacing Dave Harris of Emporia State.
Prior to being selected as executive director, Russell spent the last year serving as the Division II Coaches Association Track & Field Secretary, was a member of the DII Track & Field Executive Board, and sat on the DII Coaches Association Board of Directors. He will continue to be a part of both Boards.
Previously he has been the DII Coaches Association Treasurer and Membership Director, a position he held for more than four years, and had been elected as the NCAA Division II East Region Cross Country representative to the Association.
A seven-time PSAC and five-time NCAA Regional Coach of the Year, Russell has guided LHU teams to seven PSAC and four NCAA Regional Team Championships, as well as seven runner-up finishes.
On the track, Russell has had 144 All-PSAC athletes, including 33 individual champions, in addition to 20 All-Americans. In cross country, 39 of his athletes have amassed All-PSAC honors, including four individual champions. A total of 28 of his athletes have gone on to earn NCAA All-Region honors, with one winning LHU's first individual title. Russell-led teams have earned 28 team and 80 individual All-Academic accolades.
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