“I had the pleasure to work with Russ during one of the most uncertain summers of my life. At the time, he was my collegiate summer baseball coach.  At the beginning of the summer, I was attending the University of North Carolina.  However, as the summer progressed, I made the decision to enter the transfer portal.  The following weeks were filled with uncertainty and chaos as schools reached out to me and I tried to find the best fit for me before classes began in the fall.

I was very open with Russ throughout the process. Even mentioning to him that I was thinking about transferring from North Carolina before I officially entered the transfer portal.  Normally, this would be a situation I would not share with many; however, I was open about it with Russ because I trusted him and his judgement.  Russ not only helped me choose Liberty University as my best fit, but also helped keep me focused and levelheaded to consistently perform on the field, despite the chaotic situation I was facing off the field.  Today, I am proud to say I still use the lessons I have learned from that summer and from coach Russ daily in my professional baseball career.  Being able to stay focused on your job and block out distractions are important in every aspect of life. I am so thankful for my time with coach Russ and the lessons he helped teach me in a vulnerable moment of my life.”

- Max Alba, Detroit Tigers

“Playing for Russ in the summer of 2021 was one of the most memorable summers and experiences in my entire playing career. From day 1 he instilled a team first and winning attitude in us. Russ allowed us to be ourselves on the field and still served as a role model to each player. 

 After a year of redshirting, I felt the weight of doubt pressing down on me, but Russ helped me gain back a ton of confidence . His unwavering belief in my potential reignited my passion for the game. He took the time to work with me one-on-one, focusing not just on skills but also on rebuilding my mental strength.”

-David Smith, Detroit Tigers

“Russ is a big reason that I am where I am today. I played three summers for him, and saw significant growth each summer, both on and off the field. From a baseball perspective, he has noticed and helped me make specific adjustments in my delivery that led to immediate improvement. However, more often, he has helped me with the mental side, talking me through and helping me deal with the pressures that I put on myself. I am very grateful for everything Russ has done for me.”

-Greyson Linderman, Joliet Slammers