Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Men's Water Polo Founder Honored By Collegiate Water Polo Association
4/1/2002 7:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
April 1, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Collegiate Water Polo Association announced that former Bucknell men's water polo and swimming coach Dick Russell, along with Richard Hunkler of Slippery Rock, would compose the initial class inducted into the CWPA Hall of Fame. Both Russell and Hunkler laid the foundation for the organization that exists today and were instrumental in its development for almost 20 years.
"It only makes sense that as the Collegiate Water Polo Association makes its first nominations to the Hall of Fame that Coach Russell is included in this inaugural year," commented current Bucknell men's and women's water polo coach and former Bison student-athlete John Zeigler. "Coach was instrumental in east coast water polo forming into a competitive organized league that continues to grow stronger every year. As the current coach, I can only marvel at the winning standard he set for the program here at Bucknell."
Russell served Bucknell as an associate professor of physical education and developed a local swim class program. It was there he founded a water polo club in 1968, which continued until 1977, when the team achieved varsity status. Between 1977 and 1986, Russell's water polo teams tallied an amazing record of 223-68-4. This consistent success made Russell the first coach in Bucknell history to record more than 100 victories in two sports, swimming and water polo. Under Russell the water polo teams won four Eastern Championships and competed in the NCAA Championship five times. Russell was named Eastern Water Polo Coach of the Year in 1985.
Although is seemed minor at the time, one of his biggest achievements has had a tremendous impact on the sport throughout the country. Russell was the founder of the Mid Atlantic Conference, now known as the Collegiate Water Polo Association. Originally including only a few teams, his pioneer work in establishing this league laid the foundation for the nationwide conference that boasts over 220 teams today.
"Because of his efforts, water polo has grown and developed to the exciting level that we see today here on the East Coast," said Zeigler. "I had the pleasure of swimming for Coach Russell and he always had the ability to bring out the best in his athletes. Hard work and dedication from him carried over to his athletes and their sport. One thing I clearly remember is that under his guidance it was never a question of whether you would be ready for the big meet, but rather a question as to what level you might exceed your own expectations and goals."
In 1968, Russell began his tenure at Bucknell as head swim coach and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1994. While at the helm, he led the men's swim program to a 154-121 record in dual meets, along with 11 conference championships. He was also named a Master Coach by the Collegiate Swimming Coaches Association in 1978.
Russell began his coaching career at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio, amassing an 85-14 dual meet record before being named head swimming and golf coach, as well as a football assistant at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. While at Kenyon, Coach Russell won 33 of 52 dual meets and four Ohio Athletic Conference Championships in his years as coach.
Dick Russell was inducted into the Bucknell University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
