Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall Of Fame Biographies
Football coach James K. Russell, a Hall of Fame member, expressed to one of his students, Tony Romantino, a few years prior to his death that “someone needs to write the biographies of the outstanding athletes and coaches in the Mon Valley to preserve their memories for future generations.” As Russell was an outstanding history teacher, he knew the importance of documentation. He was always perceptive to the pride held by the local citizens of their rich heritage of sports figures and heroes.
In November 1998 Stephen V. Russell, Mid-Mon Valley educator since 1970, took up the task of creating an exhibit of sports memorabilia for the Mid-Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame located in the Belle Vernon Holiday Inn lobby. Russell immediately recognized the necessity of a biographical journal to document the history of all members of the Hall of Fame. “I realized the lack of knowledge concerning these past sports heroes,” Russell emphasized. “What good is an exhibit if you don’t know what these individuals accomplished in their lives?”
The legacy of the sports personalities of the Mid-Mon Valley are now preserved in this biographical journal, which some may see as hagiographic. Their fame, glory and accomplishments are presented here for future generations to remember and to honor. The process of finding information about these local athletes has been gratifying and rewarding. Hopefully, these life sketches will bring people together to maintain our rich tradition of athletics in the Mon Valley. The result is rich dividends bonding together the past, present and future.
Obviously, it is easy to find biographies of national figures and to keep their memories and accomplishments alive. It is, however difficult the task, just as necessary to preserve the memories of our local athletes who have made us proud. This biographical journal is a first step toward that preservation. The biographies presented are not comprehensive but are depicted with what was available; in some cases, many years after their passing.
