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Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Russo Earns Promotion To Top Assistant/Recruiting Coordinator
January 07, 2021 | Baseball
PRINCETON, N.J. – Mike Russo has been promoted to the first assistant/recruiting coordinator, the position that Lloyd Brewer held for over 20 years, Robert H.B. Baldwin '42 Head Coach of Baseball Scott Bradley announced today.
"I'm excited to take on this new role with Princeton," said Russo. "I can't thank Scott enough for the opportunity and Lloyd for being a great mentor over the years. Princeton is a great place and I'm looking forward to the future of Princeton Baseball.
"Mike has been an invaluable member of our coaching staff and it was just a matter of time before he moved into the lead assistant position," stated Bradley. "We are very fortunate to have him here at Princeton and he is a great mentor and role model for our student athletes."
Russo finished his fifth season with Princeton in 2020, leading the pitching staff. Following the 2020 campaign, James Proctor signed a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds.
After improving its win total in 2019, the Tigers had another pitcher move on to the professional realm as Ryan Smith was picked in the 18th round of the MLB Draft.
In 2018, one of Princeton's All-Ivy players was Ben Gross, who was later selected in the MLB Draft by the Houston Astros.
During the 2017 season, the Tigers saw contributions from several freshmen on the pitching staff in James Proctor, Eli Kimbell, Conor Nolan and Andrew Gnazzo. Proctor made nine starts for Princeton while Kimbell made the second-most appearances (14) out of the bullpen. Gnazzo and Nolan helped shut down the No. 22 St. John's Red Storm on the road with Gnazzo collecting his first career victory and Nolan adding his first-ever save.
Russo helped the Tigers to the 2016 Ivy League Championship and receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament's Lafayette Regional. The pitching staff's ERA dropped from 6.44 in 2015 to 3.95 in 2016. Chad Powers was honored as the Ivy League Pitcher of the Year while Keelan Smithers was picked as second team All-Ivy.
"I'm excited to take on this new role with Princeton," said Russo. "I can't thank Scott enough for the opportunity and Lloyd for being a great mentor over the years. Princeton is a great place and I'm looking forward to the future of Princeton Baseball.
"Mike has been an invaluable member of our coaching staff and it was just a matter of time before he moved into the lead assistant position," stated Bradley. "We are very fortunate to have him here at Princeton and he is a great mentor and role model for our student athletes."
Russo finished his fifth season with Princeton in 2020, leading the pitching staff. Following the 2020 campaign, James Proctor signed a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds.
After improving its win total in 2019, the Tigers had another pitcher move on to the professional realm as Ryan Smith was picked in the 18th round of the MLB Draft.
In 2018, one of Princeton's All-Ivy players was Ben Gross, who was later selected in the MLB Draft by the Houston Astros.
During the 2017 season, the Tigers saw contributions from several freshmen on the pitching staff in James Proctor, Eli Kimbell, Conor Nolan and Andrew Gnazzo. Proctor made nine starts for Princeton while Kimbell made the second-most appearances (14) out of the bullpen. Gnazzo and Nolan helped shut down the No. 22 St. John's Red Storm on the road with Gnazzo collecting his first career victory and Nolan adding his first-ever save.
Russo helped the Tigers to the 2016 Ivy League Championship and receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament's Lafayette Regional. The pitching staff's ERA dropped from 6.44 in 2015 to 3.95 in 2016. Chad Powers was honored as the Ivy League Pitcher of the Year while Keelan Smithers was picked as second team All-Ivy.
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