Russo reflects on years of experience
Campus Times
October 24, 1997
Senior linebacker Anthony Russo takes advantage of the bye week to
rest a strained neck. Russo has been a starting linebacker at La Verne
for two years. When asking coaches, players, trainers, and friends to use
one word to best describe Russo as a football player they answered: leader,
intense, heart, tough, energy and dedication.
"Very intense," said La Verne head football coach Don Morel.
This phrase is a perfect description of senior linebacker Anthony Russo.
Russo was born in Connecticut on Dec. 31, 1974. His mother Janet raised
him and his brother Mike by herself when she was only 21 years old. Russo's
brother is 24 and he is married with two children.
According to Russo his brother works two jobs to support his family
and is a very hard worker.
"I respect my brother because he is an extremely hard working person,"
said Russo.
But the person that Russo looks to for inspiration is his mother who
died of cancer four years ago at the age of 37.
"My mom motivates me when I do anything in life," said Russo.
He learned how to never give up in life from his mother.
Russo is currently taking 12 units and plans on graduating from La Verne
this December with a degree in business administration. After he graduates,
he plans on moving to New York to pursue a career in finance and to be closer
to his grandmother.
"Without my grandma, I would have never made it through college,"
said Russo.
He lives off campus in a five bedroom house with six different guys
four are his teammates on the football team and all except one attend the
University of La Verne.
"We are not just roommates we are all friends," said Russo.
"He is a great person and he is very easy to get along with,"
said sophomore Kelii Gouveia, who lives and spends time with Russo.
All of Russo's roommates respect him and look up to him.
"It is good to have somebody as a friend who has the goals as I
do," said senior Milo Epling who plays football with Russo and is also
his roommate and friend.
So far this year Russo leads the Leopards in tackles with 32 and last
year he led the entire team with 66. Last year Russo was also first team
all conference for defense.
"It was an honor, but it really goes to the defense as a whole,"
said Russo.
"He is extremely competitive and he still makes plays," said
Morel. "Russo is very athletically strong and quick, this is probably
what makes him the defensive leader that he is."
Nineteen ninety-five was Russo's most memorable year at La Verne due
to the fact that the football team went 9-0.
"That was the best team I have ever played on," said Russo.
At that time, his position was rover.
That same year is also one of Russo's least favorable moments because
the football team did not get a playoff berth.
Russo and close friend Doug Dubois, former La Verne football player,
decided to come to La Verne together.
"We have gone everywhere, in life, together," said Dubois.
After playing with him in high school and junior college they decided
to continue their careers together. Russo and Dubois have been friends since
Russo first moved to California.
"Over the years our friendship has grown," said Dubois. "When
he had struggles in life, my family was there for him."
Dubois and Russo are almost brothers and, according to Dubois, they
are such good friends because they feel the same way about certain things
in life.
Another deciding factor for Russo coming to La Verne was Morel and assistant
athletic director Rex Huigens.
"They were both good coaches," said Russo.
"He has been on our campus for three years and that has helped
him to flourish as a person and as a player," said Morel.
Russo hopes that his last year will be just as productive, if not more
productive then his previous three seasons. Russo says he will have a good
memory of La Verne and his career as a football player. He believes he has
made the most out of his days at La Verne.
