July 28, 2005

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame head athletic trainer and physical therapist Jim Russ will receive the Outstanding Athletic Trainer award from the All-American Football Foundation at its 73rd Banquet of Champions on August 1st at the Chicago Athletic Club.

Russ is entering his 20th year as Notre Dame’s head athletic trainer and physical therapist, and, since assuming the role in August of 1986, is responsible for the administration of the athletic training program for all Irish men’s and women’s athletic teams.

Prior to coming to Notre Dame, the LaPorte, Ind. native was a veteran of both the college and professional ranks. From 1977-82, Russ served as assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist at Purdue, and held the same position at Florida from 1983-84.

For the three years before his arrival at Notre Dame, Russ performed a three-year stint as head athletic trainer of the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League.

A graduate of Ball State with a major in physical education and minors in health science and athletic training, Russ earned his master’s degree in athletic training and sports medicine from Arizona and added a bachelor’s degree from Florida International in physical therapy.

As a student at Ball State, Russ served as an athletic trainer and worked with the Detroit Lions of the NFL. While pursuing his master’s degree, he worked as head athletic trainer at Pueblo High School in Tucson.

Russ was awarded an honorary monogram by the Notre Dame National Monogram Club in June of 2000.