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2011 Alumni Reunion Weekend

*Photo courtesy of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame collection.

Above is the 1959-1960 VC Pirates football team. Coach Russell is at the far left of the back row. Photo courtesy of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame collection.

By Neal Koonce Center/ Linebacker, 1959-1960 Victoria College was very fortunate indeed to have Coach Russell as their head football coach and athletic director from 1954 until he retired in 1960. Coach “Rusty” Russell had three Junior College All-Americans during his time at Victoria College, those being Charlie Burk, Floyd Dellinger, and my teammate Bill Richardson. His record while at VC was 40 wins, 27 losses and 2 ties. Before coming to VC, Coach Russell had performed miracles at Masonic Home in Fort Worth with a winning record of 127 wins, 30 losses and 12 ties. After Masonic Home, Coach Russell moved on to Highland Park High School in Dallas. Southern Methodist University then hired Coach Russell as backfield coach, and later, head coach, where he installed his spread offense that made the SMU Mustangs a dangerous team from any point on the field.

Our legendary coach was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Howard Payne University Sports Hall of Fame. Housed in the Hall of Fame in Waco, there is a display of mementos depicting his long and innovative career. During my time at VC, from 1959 to 1960, we played offense and defense. We stayed in the game until we were relieved by a teammate instead of a platooning system where you have an offensive team and defensive team. Our players came from a variety of sources — high schools, college red shirts, armed services, and people who were at Victoria to get their grades back up to par. These Victoria College players were as tough as nails and took pleasure in hitting someone. The state junior college football conferences were comprised of some very rough and tumble teams that played hard-hitting football. This toughness was nonetheless true of the Victoria Pirate teams of the day. Coach Russell deeply influenced

my life and the lives of all his players by inspiring them to be the best they could be, believe they could win, and believe in each other as teammates. The strength of the bonds Coach Russell formed with his players, and bonds among the players themselves are still alive and strong today— some fifty plus years after we were together at Victoria College. These bonds are clearly evident during the Victoria College football player’s reunions we have on occasion. During these periodic gatherings, the players in attendance will tell you that they still feel “Rusty” Russell present among us; I believe that will always be the case. We are thankful for our time together as players at Victoria College and for the privilege of having Coach H.N. “Rusty” Russell in our lives. Coach Russell was a genuine Texas football coaching legend and always a well-respected gentleman.

Rusty Russell: Coach, mentor, legend Former VC football player reminisces Russell’s influence and phenomenal career

Men’s Basketball Team Women’s Basketball Team

Baseball Team Volleyball Team

Treasures Dance Team

Victoria College Club Sports are funded by a combination of donations, fundraisers and the VC Foundation.

If you would like to donate to VC Sports, or would like more information, please contact Bill Byers, VC physical education department chair, at (361) 573-3291 ext. 3271 or via Bill.Byers@VictoriaCollege.edu.