M Club Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1987
Susan Russ was truly a pioneer in women’s athletics. After graduating and receiving her master’s degree from Murray State University, Russ began her coaching career at then Memphis State University. In the spring of 1969 she started the first women’s track program at the University, with no scholarships. She posted signs all over the campus to get women to try out for her first team. Russ would build and coach the program to greatness over the next 11 years. She led her team to a second place finish in the Tennessee State Collegiate Track and Field Championships. By the early 1970s, the Memphis program was competitive at the national level and had several individuals qualify for cross-country nationals. Russ recruited such noted track athletes as Wanda Hooker-Liggins, Caron Draper, Sandra Parks, Sue Poteate and Mary Walker, all record holders at Memphis. The current athletic director at Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Russ was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
