Hall of Fame

Kris Russell

Kris Russell

  • Class
  • Induction
    2022
  • Sport(s)
    UW-Whitewater
Induction Video

(Written: July 2022)

Kris Russell served as UW-Whitewater’s women’s volleyball coach from 1981-2004, and finished her 24 seasons as the conference’s all-time wins leader with an incredible 812-231 record (.779 winning percentage). Russell ranks fifth all-time in NCAA Division III history in total wins and ninth in winning percentage. All 24 of her teams compiled at least 20 victories, including a program-best 57-4 mark in 1988.

She directed the Warhawks to the conference’s first NCAA Division III Championship in women’s volleyball in 2002. Under her guidance, UW-Whitewater had 17 NCAA Division III Championship appearances, five Final Fours (1988, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002), eight conference regular-season titles and 10 tournament first-place finishes. The Warhawks were the national runner-up in 2000 and 2001.

She was selected the American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division III Coach of the Year four times (1988, 1995, 2000, 2002) and Regional Coach of the Year five times. Russell was tabbed the conference Coach of the Year on seven occasions. She coached 41 players to All-America honors, as well as 42 all-region players and 60 all-conference players.

Russell served as UW-Whitewater’s senior woman administrator and was an instructor in physical education. She served on numerous committees at the institutional, conference and national levels.

UW-Whitewater’s volleyball facility is named in her honor – Kris Russell Volleyball Arena. In 2009, Russell was inducted into the UW-Whitewater Hall of Fame. In 2012, Russell was selected the WIAC Women’s Volleyball All-Time Coach in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration.

Russell earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education (K-12) from UW-Stevens Point and master’s degree in physical education/administration from Northern Arizona University. She resides in Edgerton, Wis., with her wife Mary.