Tony Russo to be Inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame
6/20/2024 1:01:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Tony Russo, one of the greatest players to stand in net for the Ohio State men's lacrosse program, has another accolade to add to his Buckeye Lacrosse resume. He is one of 14 inductees into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame, the university announced Thursday.
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A captain and four-year starter for the Buckeyes, Russo is the only Buckeye to earn multiple conference player of the year awards. He is a two-time USILA All-American and picked up All-GWLL honors three of his four seasons as a Buckeye. He is a four-time GWLL Player of the Week and was named the team's Most Valuable Player of the 2002 season and defensive MVP in 2003 and 2004.
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Russo's sophomore season in 2002 saw him earn the second-best save percentage in the country and a top-five goals-against average. He followed that season up with a junior campaign worthy of Great Western Lacrosse League Player of the Year and First Team All-GWLL honors. Russo helped the Buckeyes to a GWLL title and the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history that season.
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In 2004, Russo backstopped Ohio State to back-to-back GWLL regular season titles and NCAA Tournament appearances and picked up his second conference player of the year award. He finished his collegiate career as the program's all-time saves leader, a record that still stands today.
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Russo graduated with a degree in philosophy in 2004.
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Russo will be the seventh men's lacrosse player inducted into the Hall. The other six are Greg Bice (2001-04; inducted 2022), Dan Cheney (1957-59; inducted 2013), Terry Gilmore (1977-79; inducted 1993), Paul Hartman (1955-57 and head coach 1960-66; inducted 2000), Fred Keller (1955-58; inducted 2008) and Skip Van Bourgondien (1971-73; inducted 2003).
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Ohio State's other Hall of Famers this year are: Christy Blough (volleyball), Chase Buchanan (men's tennis), Tiffany Cameron (women's soccer), Michael Hartfield (track and field); Jeff Logan (football), Marisa Main (women's volleyball), Brian Mannino (baseball), Braxton Miller (football), Kathy Monard (track and field, cross country), Greg Oden (men's basketball), Gene Smith (administration), Kyle Snyder (wrestling) and Matt Wilhelm (football).
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A captain and four-year starter for the Buckeyes, Russo is the only Buckeye to earn multiple conference player of the year awards. He is a two-time USILA All-American and picked up All-GWLL honors three of his four seasons as a Buckeye. He is a four-time GWLL Player of the Week and was named the team's Most Valuable Player of the 2002 season and defensive MVP in 2003 and 2004.
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Russo's sophomore season in 2002 saw him earn the second-best save percentage in the country and a top-five goals-against average. He followed that season up with a junior campaign worthy of Great Western Lacrosse League Player of the Year and First Team All-GWLL honors. Russo helped the Buckeyes to a GWLL title and the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history that season.
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In 2004, Russo backstopped Ohio State to back-to-back GWLL regular season titles and NCAA Tournament appearances and picked up his second conference player of the year award. He finished his collegiate career as the program's all-time saves leader, a record that still stands today.
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Russo graduated with a degree in philosophy in 2004.
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Russo will be the seventh men's lacrosse player inducted into the Hall. The other six are Greg Bice (2001-04; inducted 2022), Dan Cheney (1957-59; inducted 2013), Terry Gilmore (1977-79; inducted 1993), Paul Hartman (1955-57 and head coach 1960-66; inducted 2000), Fred Keller (1955-58; inducted 2008) and Skip Van Bourgondien (1971-73; inducted 2003).
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Ohio State's other Hall of Famers this year are: Christy Blough (volleyball), Chase Buchanan (men's tennis), Tiffany Cameron (women's soccer), Michael Hartfield (track and field); Jeff Logan (football), Marisa Main (women's volleyball), Brian Mannino (baseball), Braxton Miller (football), Kathy Monard (track and field, cross country), Greg Oden (men's basketball), Gene Smith (administration), Kyle Snyder (wrestling) and Matt Wilhelm (football).
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