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University of Central Missouri Athletics

Hall of Fame

W.B & H.H. ** Russell

  • Class
  • Induction
    2001
  • Sport(s)
    Special Recognition
W.B. and H.H. Russell
Special Recognition
W.B. Russell and his son, H.H., were longtime Warrensburg businessmen and avid sports boosters. W.B. Russell opened Russell Brothers' men's clothing store in Warrensburg in 1915. He retired as a traveling men's clothing salesman in 1938.

At a time when support for athletic teams by boosters was far more permissible than it is under current NCAA regulations, both Russells offered financial support for Mules' teams and even provided transportation to out of town contests on occasion.

W.B. Russell's enthusiastic support of the Mules and local high school teams earned him the title of "Sports Fan One" in Warrensburg. H.H. Russell lettered in football for the Mules in 1917 under inaugural Hall of Fame inductee Forrest C. (Phog) Allen and later served as mayor of Warrensburg. He continued the strong support for the Mules that his father had displayed.

For many years, he was the host for fall and spring athletic banquets for CMSU and high school football and basketball teams in honor of his late father, who died in 1950 at the age of 75. H.H. Russell died in 1984 at the age of 85.



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