Russ Williams
Phillies fans are accustomed to the voice of Harry Kalas. Merrill Reese is known at the voice of the Eagles. Attendees at Hawk football and basketball games are comforted by the knowledge that the game will be announced by Russ Williams. But those familiar with Hawk athletics know that Russ is not merely an announcer but that he was a successful coach in cross country, basketball, men’s soccer and women’s track. In the early years of HTHS, young men had only two choices for a fall sport, football and cross country. Russ, along with Alan Carr and Vince Daley, started the men’s soccer program and built it into a squad that annually contended for Colonial Conference and South Jersey championships. But as successful as he and the soccer program was, it is for his women’s track teams that he is best known. After serving as an assistant to Tom Armour for 12 years, Russ became head coach in the early 90’s and led the ladies to Camden County championships in 1991 and 1992. His athletes achieved numerous individual championships and set school records, many of which still stand. He is also most proud of the fact that as a head coach he never experienced a losing season. He continues to serve track athletes in South Jersey with his duties as an official with the South Jersey Track and Field Officials Association as well as serving as Meet Director of the Camden County Meet and George Rowland Relays, a love that he has performed for over 25 years. Russ retired from teaching two years ago and he and his wife Debbie (also a recent HT retiree) live in Laurel Springs.
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