Brian Russell is talented, selfless and humble.
Patience, however, may be his greatest virtue.
After all, when the St. Joseph by the Sea flamethrower’s season began in April he only had Division II scholarship offers. Rather than go somewhere he didn’t feel fit his talents, Russell waited for the right school to come along.
After his breakout senior season, many did – such as St. John’s, FDU and Manhattan College. Rhode Island separated itself from the pack in Russell’s eyes and he committed to the Atlantic 10 school on Wednesday.
“I visited a lot of schools, I talked to a lot of coaches, but URI is the right fit for me,” Russell said after competting in the third annual PSAL-CHSAA Mayor’s Cup at the College of Staten Island Friday night. “I like the campus; it has a friendly atmosphere. I like the conference and it’s a good academic school. I’m thinking of [majoring] in Nursing and Engineering, and it has both.”
Russell’s velocity skyrocketed in the last year, from mid 80’s to upper 80 and even 90 as a result of his relentless workout regimen and aligning himself with a top summer program, the New York Dynasty, that helped him build up arm strength. He also joined the Sea track & field team and competed in the high jump, placing ninth in the Penn Relays and his junp of 6 feet, 8 inches at the Staten Island Championships was the fifth best in New York State this season.
“It helped me get more explosive off the mound,” he said.
Russell’s coming-out party was a 17-strikeout gem in a 1-0, eight-inning win over Cardinal Spellman. He was downright nasty all spring, though, going 7-1 with an 0.80 ERA, 72 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched and allowed just six earned runs.
“He worked and worked and worked until he achieved what he wanted to,” Sea coach Gordon Rugg said. “The kid’s a hard worker. He deserves everything he gets. … He’s very athletic; he’s got a lot of upside. I don’t think he’s reached it yet.”
Russell credited everyone around him, from his coaches at Sea to his parents and notably Dynasty coach Bobby Glennerster. Glennerster put in a lot of calls to college coaches on Russell’s behalf.
“I really truly believed in the kid and once he got in front of schools he made a name for himself,” Glennerster said.
College coaches frequented his starts, impressed with his 6-foot-3 frame and overpowering stuff. Manhattan offered Russell the chance to run track and play baseball, but he was smitten with Rhode Island after his visit. He felt at home on the large Kingston, R.I. campus, was attracted by the school’s state-of-the-art facilities and developed a bond with the coaching staff, led by head man Jim Foster, who led the Rams to a 33-25-1 campaign this spring and at least 30 wins in four straight seasons.
“I was very welcomed when I got there,” Russell said.
Nothing is guaranteed as far as innings on the mound, which suits Russell just fine. He’ll work for every opportunity.
For now, he’s overjoyed with the opportunity. He never envisioned himself landing at such a place during the winter. He felt he could play Division I baseball. Rather than get frustrated with his lack of looks, he channeled it into workouts and improving in any way possible.
“Excited isn’t the word,” Russell said. “It’s surreal to realize you’re going to play for a team you’ve seen only on television or the Internet.”