Huntsville’s Mark Russell new Sports Officials Foundation Board appointee

There is no doubting that Huntsville Sports Commission director Mark Russell knows his sports. And the 20+ years he has spent as a sports official has now earned him another position of influence in the state’s sports landscape.

Russell was recently appointed to the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Board to serve a 4-year term. Here’s more info:

The Alabama Sports Officials Foundation

The Alabama Sports Officials Foundation serves multiple purposes in the state’s sports world. The nonprofit organization:

• Raises money for scholarships for Alabama’s officials’ families
• Has established a Hall of Fame for Alabama sports officials
• Recruits officials for all sports in Alabama
• Works with local associations to better train their officials

Over the years, the number of officials has continued to decrease. Due to the shortage of officials in Alabama, the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation is working to establish a program that centers around the recruitment and retention of officials. You can find more information on becoming an official here.

About Mark Russell

Russell was named director of the Huntsville Sports Commission in 2020, after serving as the Huntsville City Council District 2 representative, a position he held for 16 years (10 of which were spent as City Council President).

A Huntsville native, Russell has been a football official for 26 years in Alabama and has had the honor of being the head official for several Alabama High School Athletic Association State Football Championships.

With a love for the game, he said he views being a football official as a way to contribute to the sport and his community. With a high demand for officials across all sports, Russell has also officiated baseball and lacrosse in addition to football.

A 1981 Huntsville High School graduate, Russell played high school football and served as a captain for the team. He went on to continue his education at Auburn University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Russell serves on the North Alabama Lacrosse Association Board, Huntsville Ice Skating Complex Board of Control and several other boards and committees.

Russell will serve a 4 year term on the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Board and currently serves as the secretary on the board.

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