Prominent lacrosse figure Bob Russell dies at age 69
Bob Russell, a prominent figure in lacrosse for decades in the state and beyond, died Tuesday. He was 69.
Former players and their parents left remembrances on the death notice at Madison’s Swan Funeral Home. One said Russell had quietly recommended her son to the college where he now plays. Another said his sons always called him “Coach Russell, Dad’s First Coach.”
The Connecticut Lacrosse Foundation inducted Russell into its Hall of Fame in 2016, noting that he was the longest-serving president of CONNY, the Connecticut New York Youth Lacrosse Association. He served on several US Lacrosse executive committees and was an assistant coach at Hand.
He was also special counsel to the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association.
Daniel Hand at Cheshire, Friday, 6 p.m.: Two of the SCC’s traditional powers come into this game with matching 3-1 records. Hand has won three straight since a seasonopening loss to Ludlowe, while Cheshire looks to rebound from a loss to Guilford on Tuesday.
Newtown at New Fairfield, Friday, 6 p.m.: New Fairfield, which dominated Class M in 2019, is playing four games in as many days this week. This is the third and it comes against a Newtown team which has gotten off to a hot start at 3-0.
Greenwich at New Canaan, Saturday, 9 a.m.: The Cardinals and Rams have both recently emerged from quarantine and have a lot of catching up to do. In a span of 10 days, Greenwich will play five games and New Canaan will play six.
Ridgefield at Wilton, Saturday, 10 a.m.: The rivals meet in a morning clash at Wilton’s Kristine Lilly Field. The Warriors and Tigers had a pair of memorable games resulting in a split two years ago.
Wilton at New Canaan, Monday, 4:30 p.m.: The Rams face their third FCIAC power in five days when they host coach Kristin Woods’ alma mater Wilton at Dunning Field.
Guilford at Ludlowe, Tuesday, 4 p.m.: An intriguing
“Bob meant so much to the game of lacrosse,” IMLCA president Bill Tierney said in a statement from the organization. “His leadership, friendship and direct approach allowed the IMLCA to form, grow, and thrive. Bob always worked his best behind the scenes and never accepted any credit. When called upon however, his strong voice for the good of lacrosse was always heard. The IMLCA will greatly miss him.”
Russell was born March 12, 1952, in Scotland, where his parents lived at the time. He later played for the Scottish senior lacrosse team and coached the national team in 2006 at the World Games, his Hall of Fame biography said.
He attended Ohio University, where he met his wife, Katy. They came to Madison in 1983, quickly becoming involved in Madison Youth Lacrosse. Katy also served on several charity boards, and Bob took SCC-FCIAC match-up. Guilford is the defending SCC champion and recently defeated perennial contender Cheshire. Ludlowe has already knocked off one SCC power when it defeated Daniel Hand on opening day.
Sheehan at Sacred Heart Academy, Wednesday, 3:45 p.m.: Both teams have gotten off to fast starts with SHA at 4-0 and Sheehan at 4-1. This is the first of two meetings this season, with Sheehan hosting the later contest on May 14.
Wilton at Staples, Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.: The Warriors and Wreckers are live threats in the FCIAC this season. Wilton features goalie Amelia Hughes, who has committed over some of that work after her death in 2016. Their three sons, Rob, Matt and Kevin, all played at Fairfield Prep and went on to play college lacrosse.
Also a longtime hockey official, Russell received the John Wentworth Good Sport Award from the Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance in 2007 for service to athletics in his community. That same year, he was the state lacrosse coaches’ Man of the Year.
Russell was also a regular voter in the GameTimeCT boys lacrosse poll, submitting his last ballot for the preseason ranking.
Russell leaves his sons, their wives, seven grandchildren and three siblings among other family. Calling hours are Monday, 5-7 p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial, limited to close friends and family, the next morning at 10 at St. Margaret Church in Madison.
mfornabaio@ctpost.com; @fornabaioctp to Princeton, and Staples is led by attack/middie Shira Parower, who will play for James Madison.
New Canaan at Daniel Hand, Wednesday, 5 p.m.: New Canaan’s wild week continues with a road trip to Madison to take on SCC contender Daniel Hand. This is the second of three games against FCIAC school’s for the Tigers, who play at Staples on May 4.
Glastonbury at Simsbury, Wednesday, 6 p.m.: Glastonbury, which features the North Carolinabound Sam Forrest at midfield, takes on CCC rival Simsbury, which won its first two games. Simsbury won the 2019 meeting 11-9.
Arlene Banavong, Law:
The sophomore goalie collected 16 saves in Law’s 7-6 victory over Hamden on April 13.
Charlotte Barnes, Staples: Barnes had one goal and four assists, including one on the winning goal in OT, as Staples defeated Ridgefield 11-10 on April 12. She added four goals and an assist in a 16-5 win against Stamford on April 15.
Izzy Casucci, St. Joseph:
The junior had five goals and six draw controls in a 19-2 win over Danbury last Wednesday.
Lily Cody, Old Saybrook: Cody has 15 goals as Old Saybrook has opened the season with three straight wins. The junior scored five goals in an 8-7 victory over North Branford on Tuesday.
Maddie Epke and Payton Root, Guilford: Scored four goals apiece as the Grizzlies topped Cheshire 17-10 in a rematch of 2019 SCC championship game on Tuesday.
Ryan Hapgood, Darien:
The sophomore racked up five goals to help lead Darien to a 14-7 victory over Ridgefield on Monday.
Amelia Hughes, Wilton:
The Warriors’ Princetonbound goalie made 21 saves against 31 shots in Wilton’s 10-5 loss to defending FCIAC champion Darien last Friday.
Braeden LeBeau, North Branford: LeBeau, a junior, had nine points on four goals and five assists in North Branford’s 16-12 win over Haddam-Killingworth on Tuesday.
Dylan Lyons, Amity:
Lyons, a sophomore, had 13 goals, two assists and 14 draw controls as the Spartans won three of their first four games.
Clare McConnell, Sacred Heart Academy:
McConnell made 17 saves in SHA’s 12-11 overtime win against Mercy on opening day.
Molly McGuckin, Darien: McGuckin, a junior, has scored nine goals in three games, including a hat trick in a 10-5 win over Wilton last Friday. She also had five goals in the Wave’s seasonopening win against Brien McMahon.
Allie Ottochian, Sheehan: Ottochian has collected 18 goals and 16 assists as the Titans are 4-1 to start the season. The junior had six goals and four assists in a 15-7 win over Hamden last Friday.
Julia Pagano, Masuk:
Pagano scored five goals in a 20-2 win over Notre DameFairfield, and two goals in an 11-8 win over Weston last week.
Shira Parower, Staples:
The senior collected five goals and three assists in the Wreckers’ 11-10 overtime victory against Ridgefield on April 12. She also had seven goals and one assist in a 16-5 win against Stamford last Thursday.
Carley Schmidt, Morgan: The senior midfielder scored five goals in the Huskies’ 7-5 win over Old Lyme on April 15.
Lily Schoonmaker, Mercy: The sophomore has scored 21 goals in four games. That includes six goals and two assists in 13-2 win over North Haven on Tuesday, and eight goals and three assists in a 19-11 win over Haddam-Killingworth on Monday.
Taylor Warburton, Cheshire: Warburton had 13 goals and three assists in the Rams’ first four games. She had four-goal performances in wins over Lauralton Hall and North Branford. Cheshire is 3-1.
Mia Williams, Foran:
Williams scored six goals to lead Foran to a 13-4 win over Hamden on opening day.
Kacie Wines, Daniel Hand: Wines, a junior, had nine points on six goals and three assists in the Tigers’ 19-8 win over Mercy on April 13.