Russell Young†
Inducted 2008
Hometown: Pharr
High School: P-SJ-A High School
College: Texas Western College (now UT-El Paso)
Best Known for: Coaching and Athletics Administration
February 5, 1930-June 11, 2014
A versatile performer who played multiple sports at PSJA High in the 1940s, Young played college football and then embarked on a successful career as a coach, administrator, and official.
He earned All-District honors as a tackle in football and a forward in basketball for the Bears, then attended Texas Western (now the University of Texas-El Paso), where he lettered for three seasons as a defensive tackle. He started for two seasons for the Miners.
Young began coaching in 1951 outside the Valley but came home to coach at McAllen High from 1957 to 1965. He then operated the City of McAllen's public swimming pool for more than 15 years, starting the McAllen AAU swim program in 1967.
In 1971, he was named the Valley's first full-time athletic director without coaching responsibilities, and had gained fame as an official in football and basketball after retiring from coaching.