Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography

When the Okanagan Sun hit the field this season they will be without one of their leaders and most likeable personalities, following the graduation of fullback Kasey Russell.

On the field the Winnipeg native filled a job most don’t find glamorous and became one of the best running back blockers in Sun history.  He never shied away from getting his nose dirty and was responsible numerous times for the Sun offence to rattle off big plays.  “He’s a consummate teammate,” says head coach Ben Macauley.

“He’s what’s great about junior football.  He wasn’t caught up in just using it as a stepping stone.  He fully enjoyed being a great, tough, hard-working football player and he was the life of the locker room.”

As a fullback and a member of the Sun for three seasons, Russell amassed 15 touchdowns, seven of which came in his first season.

In 2016 Russell became a role model for some of the younger players, something he enjoyed.  “I think I’ll miss seeing all the guys every day the most, they become your family when you’re away from home, and it was always nice walking in the locker room to hang with the boys.  I’ll also miss game days at the Apple Bowl, there’s no better place to play and we have the best fans in the league.”

“The biggest highlight of this past year was being a senior. I feel like since I’ve been through the process a few times, I got the chance to take it all in, the last bus rides, ferry rides, last practices, games, you learn to take a minute and smell the flowers.”

When he reflects on his Sun career, one memory stands above the rest, “the highlight of my junior career was playing for the national championship in 2015, what an experience... and the free caribou after games, I don't think beer has ever tasted so good.”

Now that his junior football career is finished, what does Russell take with him, “the most important thing I learned being a member of the Sun is to work hard, be a good person, and respect is earned.  Your last name is on the back of your jersey, wear it with pride.  It’s these things that the organization preached time and time again.”

As he steps away from the football field as a player, Russell has his eyes to the skis, hoping one day to get his pilot’s license.  That said, don’t be surprised to see him back on the sidelines sooner than later but this time as a coach.

Fullback Kasey Russell of the Okanagan Sun joins the Class of 2016.