Curtis Russell was a two year starter on the 1972 -73 and the 1973-1974 basketball teams after having played freshman and reserve ball. The Stivers program during the early and mid ‘70s had good success and Curtis played a signicant role as a scorer and defensive player during those years. He was a teammate of HOF Bobby Mitchell on the ’72-’73 team and he averaged 19 points per game. As a senior Curtis was team co-captain and teamed up with HOF members Frankie Sanders and Eric Sutton. He averaged 19.6 points per game in the City League and 20 points per in all games. The ‘73-’74 team had a good run in the AA Tournament and ended as District Runner-up. Curtis attributed much of his success on the basketball court to attending The Don Donoher Summer Camp with Bobby Mitchell and Eric Sutton after his freshman year. The camp provided not only great coaching but also competition with many top players in the Dayton area.
Curtis attended Wilberforce University as a Business Administration student for two years following Stivers. He again teamed with Bobby Mitchell on the varsity team at Wilburforce and started several games as a freshman. Family matters required Curtis to leave school after two years and work full time to help support his mother and siblings.
He continued to play basketball in various city leagues through the years and coached/played at the Burkhardt Center through 2007.
Curtis and wife Shelia had three children while he was employed at General Motors and Waste Managment, Inc. Tragically, Shelia was in a fatal auto accident in 1997 which presented added challenges for Curtis and family. His second wife, Loretta, and he are active in their church in the Trotwood Community and have been involved in raising the four children who are Renee, Curtis, Shannon and Ashley. They also have four grandchildren who are active in sports.
