MISSION FIRST: Office of Responsibility

His office, neat and tidy inside Holleder Center, tells the story, or at least some of it.

With the air conditioner turned on high to combat the stifling late-July humidity, looking around Ben Russell's office starts to explain some of the many accomplishments of the long-time athletic department employee.

In the middle of July in 1974, he took a job at what is now the Department of Public Works at West Point in the role of supervisor.

Fast forward 12 years later and Russell made the move to the Office of the Directorate of Intercollegiate Athletics (ODIA). A host of folks applied for the job, more than 75, but it was Russell who pointed out improvements that could be made and offered solutions for issues during his interview.

He was offered the position and now holds the title of Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Logistics. Originally he worked out of Kimsey Athletic Center but moved to Holleder Center in 2007 to his current office, which contains plenty of family photos.

It's a big title with loads of responsibility.

It's also one he knew a little bit about. On the walls of his office is a black and white photo of a Zamboni at the old Smith Rink and behind the wheel is his father, a career United States Army sergeant, Tom Russell.

Russell is often on the move, clad in a short sleeve polo shirt until the temperature dips into the 40s. He can be spotted around post, walking fast, to solve the next problem.

Most of his responsibilities are visible in his cool office. The shot of Tate Rink with a huge crowd, Christl Arena with fans everywhere, an overhead shot of Michie Stadium and much more.

In his role, Russell oversees all of the athletic department's facilities so Michie Stadium, Howze Field, Kimsey Athletic Center, Foley Athletic Center, Holleder Center, Shea Stadium, Johnson Stadium, Clinton Field, Anderson Rugby Complex, Gross Center, Lichtenberg Tennis Center, Malek Tennis Center and the Army Softball Complex, as well as all athletic department housing, falls under his watchful eyes.

A lot of his work is completed with no one realizing it. The elevator is down in Michie? Call Ben. Having problems with locks in Gillis Field House? Call Ben. CBS Sports Network wants to have camera platforms built? Call Ben. Need to schedule summer camp and use one of the facilities? Call Ben.

To keep up with the demand, Russell carries two cell phones. One for calls and one to use the walkie-talkie type feature so he can stay current with all of the projects that are happening.

In addition to the athletic department facilities, Russell also oversees the teams' housing in which Army West Point coaches reside. He also handles the football team's air travel and the precise movements of the football equipment truck. Russell charters the aircraft, works closely with the airlines and Stewart International Airport personnel, as well as the equipment staff to ensure the plane is loaded properly and on-time to make the trips as seamless as possible.

The 53-foot equipment truck carries the bulk of the team's equipment to road games, often leaving midweek with uniforms, coaches gear, exercise bikes, a bevy of equipment trunks and everything the team could possibly need for a game. The key is for the truck to arrive at its destination by early Thursday so it can be unpacked and its contents ready when the team comes to town on Friday for a Saturday game.

While a host of facility upgrades have been made during Russell's tenure, one of the most impactful additions has been to the housing provided to head coaches near Keller Army Community Hospital.

What used to be the site of the old Non-Commissioned Officers Club has grown into a housing area for Army West Point's head coaches. The immaculate homes have been constructed over the past 13 years and provide a well-manicured community for head coaches. Russell oversaw the lengthy transformation.

As you can imagine, Russell spends plenty of time working and is successful at his job thanks to his wife of 40 years, Mary, and a great staff, including assistant athletic director for facilities Mike Rubbino. Russell and Rubbino meet nearly every morning before the sun rises, planning out the day over large cups of coffee.

"Even though Ben's day begins at 4 a.m., he never complained once about his job," says Mary. "He loves what he does and is so happy doing it that the long hours are just a part of life. We feel very privileged to be part of the Army West Point family."

Together, Russell and Rubbino have had an even busier year. With new branding and a fresh new logo, all of the athletic facilities have been updated with the new mark. The two ensured that the new logo at center ice was correct, that the new floor at Christl Arena was laid on time and on budget and that the new field turf surface at Michie Stadium was installed properly.

All of the new surfaces and branding upgrades were made in addition to the usual slate of work. Ensuring fans can safely get to facilities, that pipes don't freeze, that each team has adequate practice time at their facility of choice, that bathroom fixtures are installed … the list is seemingly endless.

The job can be thankless at times with a "to-do" list measuring pages and pages. It's a simple reason though that Russell has happily remained with the athletic department.

"The Cadets," is Russell's quick and brief answer when questioned about his longevity at West Point. Russell's goal is to provide a tremendous experience for the cadet-athletes. His reward is the appreciation of cadet-athletes.

"The kids are the reason," Russell says. "They are so great to work with. They are thankful, they are appreciative and they are full of energy. They keep you young."

One of the most enjoyable parts of Russell's job is when cadet-athletes return to West Point. It doesn't matter if they hold the rank of major or general or they are retired from service, they are always quick to find and check up on Mr. Russell.

That appreciation is visible in his office. A massive tray holds commemorative coins from athletic directors, generals and military leaders from across the country. To the far right of the wall-length bookshelf sits a clock from former Army West Point Director of Athletics Carl Ullrich, who presented it to Russell when he left West Point to oversee the Patriot League. Ullrich used to try and call Russell on his birthday every year and offer well wishes. Trying to get Russell on the phone was time consuming so Ullrich has resorted to sending a card every year.

Inside of the many cabinets on the other side of Russell's office is a letter from former football head coach and Army Sports Hall of Fame inductee Jim Young. Young guided Army for eight seasons and won both the Cherry Bowl and Peach Bowl during his tenure. Young was so impressed with Russell's work and dedication to the program, he sent him a letter stating his appreciation.

Russell's office also contains plenty of memorabilia. The autographed hockey stick is near game-used pucks, signed basketballs sit next to game balls from the football team and hats collected from the years fill empty space. The football helmet lamp sits next to the U.S. Army Rangers creed on a large piece of posterboard.

Blueprints are on the conference room table on this day, showing exactly what the new field turf on Michie Stadium will look like as well as the color and design of the Christl Arena and Tate Rink playing surfaces.

Football season is underway and while Russell is plenty busy with the team, he is also keeping an eye on the rest of the facilities. All head coaches now live at West Point but there is yet another new project. Construction on the Foley Enners Nathe Lacrosse Center is underway near Gate 3 of Michie Stadium, adding to the pile of blueprints in Russell's office. The project is expected to be completed in 12 months and will provide locker rooms, athletic training rooms, team rooms and more for both the men's and women's lacrosse programs.

Ben and his wife, Mary, a frequent visitor to support the Black Knights, have been married for 40 years. They have two children and seven grandchildren. Son, Ben Jr., is married to Lori and the couple has five children, Declan, Gavin, Aislin, Addison and Braden. The Russells' daughter, Faith, and her husband, John, reside in Fort Montgomery, N.Y., and have two children, Jack, and his namesake, Ben. All of the grandchildren have supported Army West Point at a host of events.

Between his demanding job and his family, Russell also found time to serve as a foster father, recently retiring from a role he served for more than 100 children from Orange County, N.Y.

The work will continue. The facility upgrades will be constant and the issues many. And like always, Russell will continue to solve problems and ensure that cadets, coaches and staff have a tremendous experience.

Army West Point Athletics

MISSION FIRST: Office of Responsibility

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