When awarding the Presidential Medal of Honor to Russell in 2011, President Barack Obama remarked not just on Russell’s legacy as the player with the most NBA titles of all time, but also his impact as a civil rights leader. He served for two terms and retired from the board in 1992. Russell, who was known for his racial justice advocacy, began his tenure on Georgetown’s Board of Directors in 1986. My condolences to his family and those blessed enough to call him a friend.”
He handled every adversity with dignity and grace, and walked away a champion.
“His impact on basketball and society will not be forgotten. “The world lost a legend with the passing of Bill Russell,” said Georgetown men’s basketball coach Patrick Ewing, who played on the 1984 NCAA championship team. His daughter, Karen Russell, graduated from Georgetown College in 1984 - the same year the Georgetown Hoyas clinched the NCAA championship under the leadership of her father’s former teammate. “Separate from his athletic endeavors, he took positions in his everyday private life that had a public effect because he was who he was…When others cowered at injustices, he stood up.”
“He was one of the most phenomenally gifted, intelligent, proud and inspiring participants in the history of basketball,” reads his honorary degree citation. The 19 teams included legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson, Jr.įollowing more championships, honors and accolades as a player and coach, Russell received an honorary degree from Georgetown in 1979. Russell led the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 1957 and then to eight consecutive championships from 1959–1966.
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