The College of New Jersey Athletics

Year of Service: 20th Season
Alma Mater: Alderson Broaddus College '81
Education: BS, Physical Ed/Social Studies;
MEd, Physical Ed., TSC '82

Joe Russo was appointed as the head women's soccer coach at The College of New Jersey on September 18, 1989, and since then, Russo has turned the program into a national power. A native of the Trenton area, he is well-known in area soccer circles. Prior to taking over the women's program, Russo served as an assistant men's soccer coach at the College for seven seasons (1981-87) and twice during his tenure (1981 and 1984) the Lions gained NCAA Tournament bids. The 2009 campaign marks his 20th season at the helm of TCNJ's women's soccer program and last fall he hit a personal milestone as he recorded his 350th victory in the NCAA Division III Tournament with a 3-0 win over Western Connecticut State University.

Russo has led the Lions to three NCAA Division III title winning in 1993, 1994 and again in 2000. The Lions have qualified for 19 straight NCAA tournaments and are the all-time leaders in victories in the tournament with 48.

Since women’s soccer was introduced as conference sport in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, Russo has boasted an impressive 118-5 record and have claimed 13 of the 16 championships.

Russo was chosen as the 1993 NSCAA/Umbro Division III National Coach of the Year as well as being named NJAC Coach of the Year eight times and is a six-time honoree as the New Jersey College Coach of the Year.