COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College men's basketball legends Walter Baumann '63 and Jack Russell '70 will both be recognized for their long-time support of the program during a pregame ceremony on Saturday prior to the Purple Knights' 3:30 p.m. game with Southern Connecticut State University. Baumann and Russell have served the College in various capacities over the years and stand as two of its finest ambassadors, and regular spectators in the Ross Sports Center as fans of the Purple and Gold.
 
Baumann was an assistant athletic director and men's basketball and men's golf head coach at the College, collecting 91 wins in seven years on the hardwood and leading the Purple Knights to top-four finishes at the 1973 and 1974 NCAA Division II New England Tournaments. A 1991 inductee into the College's Athletic Hall of Fame, Baumann has served on search committees and the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and provided color commentary to Saint Michael's basketball radio broadcasts. During his undergraduate years, Baumann was a three-time all-state selection before capping his career with a monster senior season in which he averaged 17.3 points and 12.7 rebounds. He was named All-America by two organizations and all-region by two more groups while also serving as a co-captain. Baumann earned the Roger F. Keleher '15 Award as the Class of 1963's top scholar-athlete.
 
A well-known local business leader, Russell has been substantially involved in community service efforts in Chittenden County and beyond for six decades, providing vital and personal support to a long list of worthwhile charities and organizations. He has also been a very loyal and valuable alumnus, friend and adviser for the College and the Edmundite Community, serving as an Associate Trustee, on the Board of Directors for Saint Anne's Shrine, and in many different capacities of business advisement, development efforts, and career counseling of students. Russell is honorary wing commander for the Vermont National Guard Honorary Commanders and helped get the American Basketball Association's (ABA) Vermont Frost Heaves off the ground in 2005. He was inducted into the SMC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011, due in large part to a standout basketball career. A tenacious point guard and captain, Russell paced the team in scoring as a junior (16.7) before taking second as a senior (13.7).
 
At 12-6 overall and 6-2 in the Northeast 10 Conference, the second-place Purple Knights have won 10 of their last 12 contests.