Mario Russo

Mario Russo was a great athlete, a great coach, a great family man and an all around great guy. He was liked by everyone he interacted with and I regard him as a very close friend. We first met in the early 1960’s when I was teaching at the University of Dayton and he was coaching on the football staff. He went on to coach at several Ohio schools and I went on to graduate school at the University of Toledo. Mario later joined the football staff there and we were able to renew our friendship. His wife Marion was an art teacher as well as my wife Grace and that served to cement our friendship. After coaching inOhio he joined the football staff at the University of Wisconsin where we were again able to renew our friendship. he and his wife Marion were Godparents for our second son Bob. Please know that we will keep Mario and Marion in our evening prayers and we know that they are enjoying life together in heaven. Best regards to the family on the loss of this great family man. Bill Morgan

I worked with Mario when he Coached the Green Bay Bombers and Madison Mad Digs. He was beyond a tremendous gentleman and great Coach. He had an endless supply of warmth and enthusiasm. One game day he was so excited he surprise me and headbutted me just walking down the hallway before the game. No helmet. I did admire the indoor golf set up he had in his home. He showed that off with pride and that little knowing smile he had that let you know he enjoyed it immensely. He was a generous soul. I’m better for having had the opportunity to learn from him.

In December of 2019 I was in the hospital at the University of Wisconsin after donating a kidney. Being from Akron Ohio there was no one in the area other than my wife to visit with me. Then Mario showed up. What a wonderful guy! A relative from Akron informed him I was there and he shared more than an hour of talking sports, life and friendship with me. He was such a selfless man giving his time to a total stranger. God rest his soul!

Coach you were always kind and fun to be around. God's speed as your next journey continues.

I knew Mario during his Wisconsin Badger coaching years, from 1976 to 1979. Although he was not my position coach, you could tell from the sparkle in his eye about how he truly cared for his players and the team. He was a remarkable man!