USF Honors Bill Russell
The University of San Francisco is proud to announce a memorial initiative including events, honors, and philanthropic efforts in the name of Bill Russell — a leader, humanitarian, among the best collegiate basketball players of all time, and one of the most accomplished professional athletes of all time.
Bill Russell was an icon on and off the court. Throughout his storied, multi-championship-winning collegiate and NBA careers, he exemplified ideals that USF works to instill in its students — standing up for social justice and caring for others.
The memorial initiative to honor Bill Russell’s legacy includes:
- A new annual basketball game on campus
- The establishment of the Bill Russell Emergency Relief Fund, offering support to undergraduate students experiencing financial instability
- The creation and installation of public displays on campus inspired by Russell’s legacies in sports and humanitarianism
- The naming of the main campus thoroughfare in Russell’s honor
- The presentation of a posthumous honorary doctorate
“Bill’s storied journey with USF was one for the record books, but it was not one with an easy path. While he dominated the backboards on the court, outside of the gym he stood tall fighting for equality for all men and women,” said Mrs. Jeannine Russell. “I have no doubt that Bill would be proud of this partnership with USF and the impact it will bring to students in need. It has been an honor to work with USF, and I appreciate the steps they have taken to amplify Bill’s legacy and to employ his spirit to inspire and make a better way for others.”
Russell’s talent, work ethic, and commitment to the game blossomed on the Hilltop, where he grew into the dominant player remembered by so many.
A two-time All-American, Russell guided USF to back-to-back national championships in 1955 and 1956 and a historic 55-game win streak, earning individual NCAA and WCC accolades and Olympic gold along the way.
Russell was drafted in 1956 and immediately traded to the Boston Celtics, where he embarked on one of the most successful professional careers in sports history. In 13 seasons, he was an 11-time champion and served as player-coach for the Celtics the last three years, becoming the first African American coach for a North American professional sports team and the first African American coach to win a professional championship.
In fall 2025, the new annual men’s basketball game, the “Bill Russell Impact Classic,” will tip off at War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center, where the posthumous honorary doctorate will be presented to his widow, Mrs. Jeannine Russell.
Bill Russell’s legacy offers invaluable lessons in human interaction. As educators, we couldn’t be more pleased that the Bill Russell Impact Classic gives us the opportunity annually to revisit the core elements of that legacy for generations to come.”
Larry Williams USF Director of Athletics
The Bill Russell Impact Classic will contribute a portion of single game ticket revenue annually to both the Bill Russell Emergency Relief Fund and the Bill Russell 6 Foundation.
We gratefully welcome individual contributions to the Bill Russell Emergency Relief Fund. Please visit this giving page to learn more about how you can support social justice, athletics, and more at USF.
