Bio

Robert Owen Russell

Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (1967-69) / Basketball
Gulfport, Mississippi

Robert Owen Russell signed to play at Gulf Coast Junior College with Head Coach Bob Weathers in 1967. He was a member of the 1967 Big 8 Championship basketball team (32-3) and was selected as the Most Valuable Player. A two-year letterman, he was a member of the 1969 Junior College State Champions with a record of 24-1.

While at Gulf Coast, Russell was the leading scorer both years and was chosen All-Region in 1969. He signed a basketball scholarship with Mississippi State University, becoming Coach Bert Jenkins’ and Coach Bob Weathers’ first player to sign an SEC scholarship. He played his junior and senior years at MSU, where he was a two-year letterman and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Born in Sidney, Nebraska, Russell was raised in Gulfport. The son of Cliff and Elizabeth Russell, he graduated from Gulfport High School in 1967 and was a three-year letterman there.

In 1974, Russell began his career in tennis and is certified as a USPTA Tennis Professional. His experience as Head Tennis Professional includes Point Clear Tennis Club in Point Clear, Ala.; Laurel Country Club in Laurel, Miss.; Brook Highland Racquet Club in Birmingham, Ala.; Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Miss.; The Club at the Township in Ridgeland, Miss.; and currently at Reunion Golf and Country Club in Madison, Miss.

He enjoyed coaching for more than 40 years, including 300 high school, state, regional, and nationally ranked juniors, as well as 100 college players and two ATP touring professionals (Derek Tarr and Dave Randall). He has coached at both the French Open and U.S. Open.

Russell was named 1994 Mississippi Tennis Professional of the Year, 2012 Mississippi Senior Olympics Hall of Fame, 2015 Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame, and 2016 Gulfport Sports Hall of Fame.