Joe Russo (2020) - Hall of Fame - St. John's University Athletics

Joe Russo

Induction:
2020

While best known for his success in more than two decades leading St. John's from the dugout, Joe Russo began his St. John's career as a player, anchoring the Redmen to three winning seasons from 1964-66 as a short stop. St. John's made the NCAA Tournament twice during Russo's playing career, including an appearance in the 1966 College World Series, where Russo was named to the All-Tournament Team after guiding the Johnnies to a fourth place. Shortly after the conclusion of his playing career, Russo became an assistant to his former head coach, Jack Kaiser, before taking over the reins of the baseball program in 1974 when Kaiser became the school's athletic director. Over the next 22 seasons, St. John's never suffered a losing campaign under Russo's tutelage, compiling 612 wins to go along with only 310 losses, good enough for a winning percentage of .664. Russo twice led the Redmen to appearances in the College World Series, as the Johnnies earned a place in Omaha twice in the span of three years in 1978 and 1980.