Wabash College Athletics

Russell, your rise to greatness in the long and storied history of Wabash quarterbacks seemed to come out of nowhere to people who knew little about your competitive fire and football acumen.
 
A three-year starter, you guided Wabash to 7-3 and 6-4 records in your first two campaigns before posting one of the very finest seasons ever played by a Wabash quarterback. As Coach Chris Creighton’s signal-caller, you led the 2005 Little Giants to a perfect 10-0 regular season, NCAC Championship, Monon Bell Victory, and 11-1 overall record.
 
That season was a statistical marvel – you set Wabash single-season records by hitting on over 69 percent of your passes and throwing for 3,521 yards. Incredibly, you were intercepted just five times in 394 passing attempts, and you passed for 29 touchdowns. You captained the team to the playoffs in 2005 with a win over Albion and a heart-breaking loss to Capital.
 
Your leadership and exceptional play earned you the Mike Gregory Award as the North Coast Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year and you were a finalist for the Gagliardi Award as the outstanding all-around player in Division III. You were equally strong in the classroom – graduating in 2006 with honors and winning the Phi Beta Kappa Prize for your original films, Beside Myself and Thy Loyal Sons.
 
You finished your collegiate career by serving as a team captain for the United States team in a 53-15 win in the 2005 Aztec Bowl.
 
The National Association of Wabash Men likes its high-flying quarterbacks, especially those who play with as much intelligence and swagger as you did, and we are honored to induct you in the Wabash Athletics Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Russ, you are Some Little Giant.