The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will honor Kristin Russell, UW-W's volleyball coach for twenty-four years (1981-2004) by naming the volleyball facility for her in a ceremony set for Friday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m.  The recognition will take place prior to UW-W's match versus Emory University in the Whitewater Invitational Tournament in the Williams Center volleyball facility on campus.

"Kris Russell led the way, on the court, in the classroom and as an administrator at UW-Whitewater for many years. Her impact as a leader can be felt by anyone who has been in the Williams Center. She had a great passion for her students and student-athletes. Her dedication and work ethic put her at the forefront of her sport. Above all, she was an advocate for women in sport and laid the groundwork for a successful Warhawks athletic program. It is my honor to be a part of such a special ceremony for a wonderful individual." said Athletics Director Paul Plinske.

Assistant Athletics Director Amy Edmonds says, 'I am very excited for Kris to receive this amazing honor.  Kris worked tirelessly on helping to building a strong foundation for women in sports.  As a head coach with the most wins in history, a role model for the student-athletes that came here as girls and left as women, as a teacher of academics and life; Kris Russell is an inspiration to many and is most deserving of having her name displayed on an arena that she helped build.  Thank you for everything that you have done and continue to do for girls and women in sports.'

Russell was one of the most successful collegiate volleyball coaches in the National Collegiate Athletic Association during her tenure at UW-Whitewater.  She amassed a record of 812-231 (.779 winning percentage), including a 178-49 (.784) mark in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.  At the time of her retirement from coaching, Russell was one of just eight active NCAA coaches (Division I, II or III) with 800 career victories.  

Russell directed the Warhawks to a berth in the NCAA III championship tournament seventeen times, including her last thirteen years (1992-2004).  Whitewater won the 2002 national title, finished second in 2000 and 2001, third in 1995, and fourth in 1988.  Her time at UW-W also included ten WIAC championships, seven coming in her last ten years, and ten postseason tournament championships, including eight of her last ten.

Russell was named WIAC Coach of the Year seven times, American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Regional Coach of the Year five times, and AVCA National Division III Coach of the Year four times (1988, 1995, 2000, 2002).   She earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women's Sports Advocates of Wisconsin in 2009. 

Student athletes earned All-America honors forty-four times under Russell's tutelage, including twenty first team mentions.  In 2001 Alison Erickson was named AVCA Division III Player of the Year, the first UW-W to earn her sport's top honor.  Seven Warhawks earned the WIAC's Judy Kruckman Award as the Scholar Athlete for volleyball, more than any other school over her coaching span.  Three students, Lynn Olsen (2000), Alison Erickson (2001) and Kristin Dettman (2003) earned NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.

After retiring from the bench Russell served as UW-W athletics' senior woman administrator for two years, and throughout her years at Whitewater she was an instructor in the department of health, physical education, recreation and coaching.

The volleyball facility was significantly renovated during the remodeling of the Williams Center that took place in 1999 and 2000, and the addition of the Kachel Fieldhouse in 2001.  UW-W hosted the NCAA Division III final four matches to sell-out crowds in 2001 and 2002.

Russell's career path began with an undergraduate degree from UW-Stevens Point (1973), a master's from Northern Arizona in 1981.  She began coaching at Random Lake (WI) High School (1972-78), where she guided the team to four Lakeshore Conference titles and two Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Class B titles.  From 1972-75 she also served as the school's girls basketball and track coach.  She left to teach middle school physical education and coach volleyball at Arcadia High School in Scottsdale, Arizona (1979-80), moving to assist with softball at Northern Arizona while in graduate school (1981).

For additional information:  Paul Plinske, UW-W Director of Athletics