the date was january 23, 1992, a thursday...

Just like any other Thursday. However, for Bill and Paula Russell, and many of the staff and students at Hershey High School, that day will never be forgotten.

On January 23, 1992, we lost Tim and his friend Ben in a tragic automobile accident. Ben, a fellow athlete, will be honored by the Hershey High Soccer team families in a memorial soccer tournament.

Timothy Russell exemplified the spirit of the sport of running; our leader, inspiration, and dear friend, he was the kind of teammate who was as gracious in winning as he was in defeat. Tim was full of the qualities every great athlete should and would like to possess. Discipline, determination and Great Spirit made Tim an athlete to emulate and to follow.

These attributes carried him far in his running career. As a young freshman, Tim became an important part of and a top runner for the team. That year, 1989, the team became the State AA Runner up Champions. The next year, he took over as the number one runner, a position he held through his junior year. With perseverance, he led the team to the 1990 PIAA State Cross Country Championship Title.

The 20th Annual Tim Russell Memorial Run in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has been initiated by the Hershey High School Cross Country team families in memory of our teammate, Timothy Russell. All proceeds from this race will go to a scholarship fund in Tim Russell and Ben Yupcavage's names. Scholarships are awarded to Hershey High seniors, chosen each year.

It is through the generosity of numerous families and businesses that make this an ongoing successful event.

We thank all the people who have made this race possible. In the years to come, many Hershey High students will find the burden of college expenses eased, and their success will be great living tributes to our friends, Timothy Russell and Benjamin Yupcavage.

Thank you for your participation and have a terrific race!