USF, Roots of Fight and Kevin Garnett commemorate Dons Legend
JOHN LINDROOS
On Feb. 12, USF announced a series of events to honor and commemorate former USF basketball player Bill Russell, which includes the inaugural “Bill Russell Impact Classic,” which would tip off a men’s basketball game, beginning in Fall 2025. A posthumous honorary doctorate will be presented to his widow, Mrs. Jeannine Russell during the game.
USF also announced a plan to establish the Bill Russell Emergency Relief Fund, which will offer short-term financial support for undergraduate students experiencing economic instability.
In addition, the university plans to create displays throughout campus inspired by Russell’s achievements and leadership both on and off the court.
On the same day, Roots of Fight, an apparel company that works to highlight the achievements and leadership of the most legendary athletes, announced a new addition to their Campus Legends theme, a “University of San Francisco x Bill Russell” collection.
Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Russell attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, California.
A true winner on the court, Russell dominated in his USF collegiate career, leading the Dons to back to back national championships in 1955 and 1956. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches, Russell was a tenacious rebounder and fierce paint defender who could also score the ball, leading his conference in rebounds from 1954 to 1956, and in scoring in 1954 and 1956.
In the NBA, Russell took winning to the next level during his 13 year career with the Boston Celtics, hoisting the Finals trophy 11 times. The Hall of Famer won five MVP awards, earned 11 All-NBA honors, was an 11 time All-Star and a four time rebounding champion.
In 1966, Russell became a player-coach for the Celtics, becoming the first black coach in league history.
A leader in the game of basketball, Russell was arguably a more passionate leader off the court as a political activist.
In the heat of the civil rights movement, Russell and four other Celtics’ teammates boycotted a preseason exhibition game in October 1961 after both his teammates Sam Jones and Tom Sanders, who were both black, were denied service when trying to get food from the hotel’s cafe. This marked the first ever player boycott over a civil rights protest.
Russell was also present during the 1963 March where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.
Following the murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers in 1963, Russell traveled to Mississippi to assist Evers’ brother Charles in opening an integrated basketball camp.
In 2017, Russell expressed solidarity with 49ers quarterback Colin Kapernick, who took a knee during the national anthem on Sept. 1, 2016. Russell tweeted a photo showing him taking a knee while wearing his Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was awarded to him by President Barack Obama in 2011. The post’s caption wrote “Proud to take a knee, and to stand tall against social injustice.”
On July 31, 2022, Russell passed away at the age of 88. A message posted to Russell’s Twitter by his family honored Russell as an activist, reading, “Bill called out injustice with an unforgiving candor that he intended would disrupt the status quo, and with a powerful example that, though never his humble intention, will forever inspire teamwork, selflessness and thoughtful change.”
Roots of Fight commemorates Russell’s legacy with their collection, which features hoodies, shirts and shorts with most labeled with the USF logo and his jersey number six.
During the NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 14 to 16 at Chase Center, San Francisco, Basketball Hall of Famer and former Celtics forward Kevin Garnett repped one of the collection’s hoodies as a judge for the Dunk Contest and while sitting front row for the other events.
Both being prominent figures in Celtics’ history, Garnett and Russell shared a bond through the game of basketball. During his tenure in Boston, Garnett reached out to Russell for advice.
On March 6, 2008, the two held an in person conversation on ESPN. Garnett, who was already 12 seasons into his career without a championship, was traded in the offseason of 2007 from the Minnesota Timberwolves to Boston in hopes of contending for a championship. In the interview, Russell told Garnett he would win two or three championships with Boston. Russell said, “If you don’t, but I see you playing the way you should play, I’ll share one of [my championship rings] with you.”
That season, Garnett and the Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals in six games.
Following Russell’s passing, Garnett and former Celtics teammate Paul Pierce reflected on the legacy of Russell on the All the Smoke podcast. Released on Oct. 17, 2022, Garnett said, “What he stood for actually shaped sports and the way we see it today. Shout out to Bill Russell. Foreverly Love.”
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, News Editor: Deeya Gupta, Sports Editor: John Lindroos
