Dale Russell

Biography

Russell was hired as the Head Men's Rugby Coach and Assistant Women's Rugby Coach in May of 2024. He also plays a lead role in the campus intramural program. Russell comes to Alfred University from the University of Maine, where he recently led his team to the 2024 National Collegiate Rugby Men's Division II National Championship title. He has worked as the men's rugby coach since August of 2015 and has a 49-20-1 record to show for it. Russell's men's rugby program has qualified for the national tournament for 15's in 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023 outside of the champion season of 2024. His program also qualified for nationals in 7's in 2021 and 2022, finishing in the Top-15 in both seasons. Russell's work with the program extended beyond the pitch as he worked with the University of Maine Strength & Conditioning department to set up a partnership for both men's and women's rugby as both are club sports. He also established an endowment to support the men's program's 50th anniversary team. Russell also worked with the women's rugby team at U. Maine and helped coach them to finish ninth in the nation during his one and a half years with the team. Concurrently, while working at Maine, Russell coached the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO), now named the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), North East Collegiate Select team as the Side Forwards Coach. During his two years, he helped lead them to two National Championship Finals and coached eight players to All-American ho