St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Mourns the Passing of Joe Russo
5/27/2019 4:11:00 PM | Baseball
Former team captain and head coach passed away at the age of 74
QUEENS, N.Y. (May 27, 2019) – The entire St. John's University family mourns the passing of Joe Russo, who died on Sunday at the age of 74 following a long illness.
"I am saddened by the news of the passing of Coach Joe Russo," said Head Coach Ed Blankmeyer. "His Hall of Fame coaching career elevated St. John's to national prominence. I would personally like to extend my sincere condolences to the Russo family."
Russo dedicated more than three decades of his life to St. John's Baseball, beginning with a stellar four-year playing career that culminated with him captaining the 1966 team to the College World Series. The shortstop was named to the All-Tournament Team that year in Omaha.
In 1974, Russo took over the reins of the baseball program from his former coach, Jack Kaiser, when he assumed the position of athletic director. Over the next 22 seasons, he tallied a record of 612-310 (.664) and led St. John's to another pair of College World Series appearances in 1978 and 1980.
A well respected baseball mind on the international stage as well, Russo guided Team USA at the 1995 Pan-American Games in Argentina. He also served as the head coach for the New York/Tokyo Friendship Series in 1989.
A two-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991, Russo mentored countless players that went on to excel in the professional ranks including Frank Viola, the winner of the 1988 American League Cy Young Award, and John Franco, who sits fifth in major league history with 424 career saves.
"Coach Russo was greatly respected in the college baseball community, not only in the Northeast, but throughout the country," said former St. John's pitcher CJ Nitkowski, who was drafted ninth overall by the Reds in 1994. "Personally he had a huge impact on my career. I was a freshman transfer coming off a subpar season but Coach Russo was still willing to take a chance on me. The two years I spent in a Johnnies uniform under Coach dramatically changed both my baseball and personal life. We beat two nationally ranked teams on our first trip of the 1993 season, won a Big East title and made it to the finals of a regional just narrowly missing out on Omaha. It was a memorable season for so many of us that we still talk about today and one Coach was tremendously proud of. His track record on the field speaks for itself but his impact on so many of his players over the years is likely greater than he ever realized. He will be missed, but his impact and legacy live on. Thanks, Coach."
In 1997, Russo was bestowed with the profession's highest honor, earning induction into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
In addition to his duties at St. John's, Russo also taught social studies, English and physical education at Christ The King High School.
A wake for Russo will be held at Fredericks Funeral Home in Flushing on Wednesday, May 29, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. and on Thursday, May 30, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at St. Nicholas of Tolentine in Flushing on Friday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m.
"I am saddened by the news of the passing of Coach Joe Russo," said Head Coach Ed Blankmeyer. "His Hall of Fame coaching career elevated St. John's to national prominence. I would personally like to extend my sincere condolences to the Russo family."
Russo dedicated more than three decades of his life to St. John's Baseball, beginning with a stellar four-year playing career that culminated with him captaining the 1966 team to the College World Series. The shortstop was named to the All-Tournament Team that year in Omaha.
In 1974, Russo took over the reins of the baseball program from his former coach, Jack Kaiser, when he assumed the position of athletic director. Over the next 22 seasons, he tallied a record of 612-310 (.664) and led St. John's to another pair of College World Series appearances in 1978 and 1980.
A well respected baseball mind on the international stage as well, Russo guided Team USA at the 1995 Pan-American Games in Argentina. He also served as the head coach for the New York/Tokyo Friendship Series in 1989.
A two-time BIG EAST Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991, Russo mentored countless players that went on to excel in the professional ranks including Frank Viola, the winner of the 1988 American League Cy Young Award, and John Franco, who sits fifth in major league history with 424 career saves.
"Coach Russo was greatly respected in the college baseball community, not only in the Northeast, but throughout the country," said former St. John's pitcher CJ Nitkowski, who was drafted ninth overall by the Reds in 1994. "Personally he had a huge impact on my career. I was a freshman transfer coming off a subpar season but Coach Russo was still willing to take a chance on me. The two years I spent in a Johnnies uniform under Coach dramatically changed both my baseball and personal life. We beat two nationally ranked teams on our first trip of the 1993 season, won a Big East title and made it to the finals of a regional just narrowly missing out on Omaha. It was a memorable season for so many of us that we still talk about today and one Coach was tremendously proud of. His track record on the field speaks for itself but his impact on so many of his players over the years is likely greater than he ever realized. He will be missed, but his impact and legacy live on. Thanks, Coach."
In 1997, Russo was bestowed with the profession's highest honor, earning induction into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
In addition to his duties at St. John's, Russo also taught social studies, English and physical education at Christ The King High School.
A wake for Russo will be held at Fredericks Funeral Home in Flushing on Wednesday, May 29, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. and on Thursday, May 30, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at St. Nicholas of Tolentine in Flushing on Friday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m.
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