ALFRED, NY – Alfred University Athletics announced the appointment of Dale Russell as the Head Men's Rugby Coach on Tuesday afternoon.
 
"With the Saxon Hill Sports Complex project, we have made a commitment to our men's and women's rugby programs and our goals are to grow these programs and compete for conference and national championships," Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics & Recreation, Deb Steward said. "Dale is a proven winner as a head coach and has served in campus recreation leadership roles. He is an excellent fit for Alfred University and we look forward to his mentorship of our rugby student-athletes."
 
Russell will also serve as the Assistant Women's Rugby Coach and play a lead role in our campus intramurals program. "We are excited to bring Dale on to usher in the next generation of rugby players at Alfred," Director of Rugby and Women's Rugby Head Coach, Dr. Nicole Bernsen said. "His competitive background and commitment to student-athlete development on and off the pitch will be invaluable in supporting an outstanding student experience and helping students realize their purpose."
 
Russell comes to Alfred University from the University of Maine, where he recently led his team to the 2024 National Collegiate Rugby Men's Division II National Championship title. He has worked as the men's rugby coach since August of 2015 and has a 49-20-1 record to show for it. Russell's men's rugby program has qualified for the national tournament for 15's in 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023 outside of the champion season of 2024. His program also qualified for nationals in 7's in 2021 and 2022, finishing in the Top-15 in both seasons.
 
Russell's work with the program extended beyond the pitch as he worked with the University of Maine Strength & Conditioning department to set up a partnership for both men's and women's rugby as both are club sports. He also established an endowment to support the men's program's 50^th anniversary team.
 
Russell also worked with the women's rugby team at U. Maine and helped coach them to finish ninth in the nation during his one and a half years with the team.
 
"I am excited to be joining Alfred University and to lead men's rugby as it transitions to varsity status," Russell said. "I want to thank Dr. Bernsen and Associate Vice President Steward for this opportunity. I look forward to being part of the growth of AU and the enhancement of the student life on campus."
 
Concurrently, while working at Maine, Russell coached the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO), now named the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), North East Collegiate Select team as the Side Forwards Coach. During his two years, he helped lead them to two National Championship Finals and coached eight players to All-American honors. Russell also coached for the New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU) Collegiate Select Side Coach. He was responsible for running the clinic to select the NERFU North Select Side and coached NERFU North to a championship in the Augural Northeast Select-Side Tournament.
 
Prior to his work up north, Russell was in the southern part of the United States, working with the University of West Florida from 2009 until 2015. He began as the men's rugby Forwards Coach until 2013 and was promoted to Head Coach in 2015. During his tenure, Russell coached the team to their first Battleship Rugby Tournament Championship win, helped bring the team up from a winless season to two undefeated seasons, four Division Championships, three conference championships and one regional championship in just four years. He also held the responsibility of planning and hosting the first and subsequent annual NSCRO South Cup tournament.
 
Russell has also held titles within the rugby world such as NCR Region 1 Small College Director, NERFU College Director and UWF Rugby Team President. Outside of the realm of rugby, he worked in the Sport Clubs & Youth Programs department at the University of Maine, starting as a Coordinator and then the Assistant Director.
 
Russell graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May of 2013 and has a Master of Science in Sports Performance and Coaching.