Hall of Fame
Born to lead — Those words perfectly describe Joe Russo’s impact on Le Moyne College baseball. He arrived on the Heights after receiving All-League honors in both baseball and basketball at Parochial League-power St. John the Evangelist in Syracuse. A school that produced many outstanding Le Moyne College athletes. Joe was one of the true leaders both on and off the diamond during the glory years of Le Moyne college baseball under coach Dick Rockwell.
Russo was a three-year starter and captain of the 1970 baseball team. He was an outstanding defensive outfielder who could hit with power. Russo, with his brother Andy ‘73 (a 1989 Gold Wave Hall of Fame inductee), hit back-to-back home runs against Oswego to give Coach Rockwell his first signature win at Le Moyne. He was one of the driving forces behind naming Dick Rockwell Field and also served on the Le Moyne College Board of Regents for 25 years, co-chaired the Le Moyne College Founders Day Gala, served on the board of the Dolphin Athletic Association and co-chaired the Achieving New Heights Athletics campaign. Russo continued his leadership role in the Syracuse community by serving as president of the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. He also has served on the Board of Directors of Francis House, a faith-based organization that provides care for people with terminal illness.
Joe A. Russo was recognized as the Rev. Vincent B. Ryan, S.J. Dolphin Award Winner in 2001 and was officially inducted into the
Le Moyne College Athletic Hall of Fame
September 24, 2011
