Robert Russo was named CSI’s Head Men’s & Women’s Cross-Country Coach in August of 2009. He is the fifth CSI head coach for the young program, which saw the women’s team achieve varsity status in 2007, and the men in 2008.
As head coach, Russo has guided the program through its development phase, and was rewarded handsomely in 2013 with the program’s first ever CUNYAC Championship and NCAA appearance on the men’s side.
A four-year student-athlete at nearby Wagner College, Russo excelled at both cross-country and track & field, captaining the teams in each of his final three seasons. While there, Russo earned team Most Valuable Player honors in 2001 & 2002. Most recently, Russo was named team captain for the Open Division of the Staten Island Athletic Club, organizing over 250 members for competition throughout the year.
Russo also has strong ties to the local racing circuit. He is the principle organizer for Anthony’s Run, designed to help raise funds for muscular dystrophy awareness and research. He is cofounder of the Anthony DeMartino Foundation (www.anthonydemartinofoundation.org) along with his wife Christina, for whom Anthony’s Run was organized.
Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Russo, currently resides in the Eltingville section of Staten Island with his wife, Christina, and son, Anthony.
