Hall of Fame
Russell, a native of Cortland, New York, and graduate of Detroit Southeastern High School, was a Wayne State student-athlete, head and assistant varsity coach, and professor in Health and Physical Education in a career that began in 1927 as a member of City College of Detroit's football team, and ended as a professor upon his retirement in 1974. In between, Russell, also known as Larry or Lefty throughout his career, was Wayne's head golf coach from 1945 to 1969.
As a two-way player on the gridiron field for CCD, Russell earned three varsity letters in 1928, '29 and '30. He would captain CCD's 1930 squad. During his playing career, Russell played for two Hall of Fame coaches, David L. Holmes and Norman G. Wann.
Russell received two degrees from Wayne, a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in '31, and a Master's in Education in '36. After finishing his M.A., Russell joined the University's teaching staff in Health Education, and would stay with Wayne State as an instructor until retiring on June 18, 1974, as a full professor. Upon retirement, Wayne State's Board of Governors named Russell and Emeritus Professor of Health and Physical Education.
Russell began his coaching career at Wayne in 1938, heading up the freshman football squad until 1941. From 1941 to 1054, Russell was a varsity assistant football coach.
An avid golfer, in 1945 Russell moved over to the men's golf program, receiving a dormant program that hadn't fielded a team since 1941 because of World War II. Russell was Wayne's first full-time men's golf coach, and the program's second coach in its history.
He would coach the program for 25 seasons, until 1969, posting a 187-119-8 (.610) record. At the time he gave up the position, Russell was the winningest head coach in his sport on the Tartar staff, and also the tenure leader.
Russell assembled several great golf squads. The Tartars hit double figures in the victory column six times, with back-to-back 12-victory seasons in 1952 and 1953, still a Wayne State record. His final team in 1969 finished 9-1, and was undefeated heading into their last match of the season. WSU's golf teams under Russell had 20 winning seasons in 25 years, including 10 straight from 1956 through 1965.
His 1947 WSU team won the first Mid-American Conference Golf Championship by 13 strokes in a two-day, 36-hole shootout. Charter members of the MAC, Wayne withdrew from the conference the following season.
Russell coached several Wayne standouts during his career. In 1945 Larry Opalka was runner-up in the National Publinx Tournament. In 1953, Jack Gregory, generally considered as the best golfer ever at Wayne State, advanced to the third round of the NCAA National Championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before bowing out. Gregory led Wayne that year to an 11-1 (.917) season, the best ever record in WSU golf history.
While members of the President's Athletic Conference from 1956-66, Russell produced two conference individual medalists, Cass Jawor in 1957 and Bruce Ford in 1963.
Russell, a converted left-handed golfer, won various club championships in his own right, capturing club championships at such suburban country clubs as Lakepointe and Gowanie. Russell is also an accomplished contract bridge player.
Upon conclusion of the 1969 season, Russell retired as the golf coach, and was succeeded by Hall of Fame coach Joel G. Mason.
Russell and his wife, Anne, had a daughter, Linda, and a son, George. After Mrs. Russell passed away, he remarried, and he and Dorothy reside in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Between the two they are proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren.
