The College of New Jersey Athletics

Year of Service: 21st Season
Alma Mater: Alderson Broaddus College '81
Education: BS, Physical Ed/Social Studies;
MEd, Physical Ed., TSC '82

Joe Russo has been the head women's soccer coach at The College of New Jersey since the program’s inception in 1990 and has turned the program into a national power. TCNJ's women's soccer program has captured three NCAA Division III titles 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. 

The 2010 campaign marks his 21st season on the sidelines and he ranks near the top in among active coaches at the Division III level in victories (370) and winning percentage (.875). 

In 2009, 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. 

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. 

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.