Ask any Lady Sailor basketball player who their biggest fan is. Or peer down the English hall on a weekday after school. There will be a white haired janitor you might have asked for a key once or passed in the halls on a lonely Friday afternoon. So, who is this man behind the scenes? His name is Bob Russell.
Bob Russell has been working at Scituate High School for nine years. Before he came to SHS he worked in general dynamics at a shipyard and moved jobs a lot, but SHS is his favorite place to work by far. He grew up in Quincy and currently lives in Weymouth, keeping his work close to home.
The toughest part of Russell’s job is sweeping the gym floor, but his favorite part of the day is heading down to the gym to watch the basketball team ruin all his hard work. He’s there for the games and for every practice. Those around him notice his appreciation for all of the Sailor sports teams and the only thing that will keep him away from the game is his family, like his daughter.
He has no favorite part of the game, he just loves it. Math teacher Mr. Forde said, “Bob’s a great guy, I love to talk sports with him.” Russell is always up to date with game scores and is constantly checking up on players after away games.
Russell is the kind of fan who stays behind the scenes. He played basketball as well as lacrosse when he was younger, so he has a great understanding of the game. His support is often subtle – a high five before the game, an encouraging look from the end of the bench, and a congratulations are the end – but it is nonetheless meaningful.
He had never watched the girls play until 2003 when Corey Cuddihy, now the Junior Varsity coach of the Lady Sailors, started playing. After watching her play and witnessing her talent and skill, Russell was hooked: “They’ve had some good teams and some bad teams, but mostly good.”
He’s been watching the girls basketball team ever since, but that’s not to belittle his dedication to the boys team as well. Coach Brian Buckley put it best, “He bleeds Lady Sailor blue.”