Back to profile

John F. Russell

Stories by John F.

John F. Russell: Playing the game, feeling the pain

If you play recreational softball, you've probably experienced the moment that comes the day after.

Tease photo

Bear dies after being hit by pickup near Milner

A 300-pound bear was struck by a pickup and killed after attempting to cross U.S. Highway 40 near Milner on Wednesday afternoon.

Sam Samlowski earns Steamboat Springs Junior Golf Association's first-ever scholarship

Sam Samlowski was honored with the Steamboat Springs Junior Golf Association's first-ever scholarship.

Steamboat's American Legion baseball team splits with Palisade

The team's offense was kicking on all cylinders Sunday, but the defense could hold it together in the second game of a doubleheader.

John F. Russell: Rick DeVos leaves his mark, sets new standard

Rick DeVos helped make the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club a model in our country, and a source of pride in our community.

Tease photo

Rick DeVos to leave Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

The Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club will be looking for new leadership this summer after its board of directors announced Wednesday that longtime Director Rick DeVos will be leaving the club.

John F. Russell: Making a summer list

Summer days in Steamboat Springs are precious. So the best thing to do is make a list and get rolling before it's too late and summer is gone.

Steamboat Golf Shoot-Out provides opportunity to support junior golf

Organizers are encouraging players to register by Friday. The tournament will take place June 3 with shotgun starts at 10 a.m. and noon. The tournament will use a modified two best ball and teams will be made up of four players. Tees will be assigned by handicap.

Steamboat Springs Legion baseball team opens season with pair of victories against Rangely

A strong showing in a doubleheader against Rangely on Sunday helped the Steamboat Springs American Legion baseball team open the season at home on a winning note.

John F. Russell: Lifelong love of the game

I fell in love with running bases as a child, and though I'm a little older and a little slower, the game and my love of playing it never has changed.

John F. Russell: Feeling lucky in Steamboat Springs

It's easy to forget just how lucky we are to live in Steamboat Springs, but then again all you have to do is look around to realize what a great place this is.

Steamboat golf tournament raises money for suicide prevention

Organizers hope money raised from a local golf tournament will help young people recognize the signs, help raise awareness and help prevent suicide in the future.

John F. Russell: Hitting the road for a weekend of soccer

When you are 46, a trip to Denver requires clean underwear, a clean shirt, deodorant and a toothbrush. But when you are taking your 11-year-old daughter to Denver, it’s a different story.

John F. Russell: Playoffs bring a new sense of importance to the game

The regular seasons are coming to a close, and high school athletes are looking forward to the opportunities playoffs have to offer.

Tease photo

Steamboat soccer tops Glenwood in league tournament, waits on state playoff announcement

Steamboat Springs girls soccer topped Glenwood Springs on Thursday to finish third in the Western Slope League standings but are waiting to find out whether a state playoff run is in its future.

Steamboat Springs High School tennis team looking to lock up regional title, state berths

The Steamboat Springs High School girls tennis team is looking for its 10th-straight title after a strong start at the regional tournament.

John F. Russell: Spillane's legacy about more than Olympic medals

It takes more than one good race to become an Olympic-sized legend in Ski Town USA.

John F. Russell: Pioneers make Hall of Fame one cool journey

Last weekend, a new class of athletes was inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame insuring their stories will live on for future generations to enjoy.

Tease photo

World champion, 3-time Olympic medalist Johnny Spillane announces retirement

World Champion and three-time Olympic silver medalist Johnny Spillane announced he is retiring from the U.S. Nordic Combined Ski Team to spend more time with his family.

Tease photo

Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club honors best at annual awards night

On Tuesday night, the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club handed out 31 awards memorializing noteworthy alumni and recognizing those Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athletes who are setting the standards for today.

John F. Russell: Cheering for those who live life to its fullest

It's easy to cheer for the superstars in sports, but the guys I admire play the game for love, not the spotlight.

John F. Russell: Steamboat athletes and Olympic fans are following the road to Sochi, Russia

It's fun and frustrating to watch as athletes with ties to Steamboat Springs chase their dreams along the road to Sochi, Russia, and the 2014 winter Olympic Games.

Yampa Valley Golf Course in Craig opens for season

The Yampa Valley Golf course in Craig has opened for the season a bit earlier than expected thanks to a string of warm days, new pro David Hardison said Saturday morning.

John F. Russell: Golfers hit the road to fill hunger for the game they love

The valley has been treated to a warm dose of spring the past few weeks, which has resulted in a bad case of the golfing bug for many local residents.

John F. Russell: Feeling the magic, failing to make the right March Madness picks

I never can seem to pick the right teams, but that hasn't stopped me from understanding the magic of one of the biggest events in college athletics.

Tease photo

West Routt firefighters extinguish vehicle fire in Hayden High School parking lot

Classrooms at Hayden High School were locked down Thursday morning while firefighters extinguished a truck fire in the parking lot.

Steamboat resident 5th in Heartland Poker Tour, pockets $46,299

Steamboat Springs resident Ryan O’Donnell pocketed a little more than $46,000 on Monday evening by finishing fifth in the Heartland Poker Tour event at the Golden Gates Casino in Blackhawk.

John F. Russell: Spring in Steamboat Springs

In the old days, playing a home game in a spring sport in Steamboat Springs seemed impossible. It was hard to imagine just a few years ago how things would change in our mountain town.

Tease photo

Postal Service's Sundance location appears poised to shut down

Postal officials would not comment about potential consolidation of all post office boxes to the downtown location. But construction at the Third Street and Lincoln Avenue branch seems to tell the story.

Steamboat slalom skiers race into top 10 as NCAA Skiing Championships move into 3rd day

Two former Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Alpine skiers raced into the top 10 on Friday in the slalom at the NCAA Skiing Championships at Snow Bowl in Middlebury, Vt.

Steamboat Springs High School cancels weekend sports games with storms on horizon

Officials at Steamboat Springs High School canceled most Friday and Saturday prep games after a weather forecast and travel advisories warn of dangerous conditions this weekend.

Former Steamboat Springs ski racers vie for national titles at NCAA championships in Vermont

Max Marno led a group of former Steamboat Spring ski racers by breaking into the top 10 on Wednesday in the giant slalom on the opening day of the NCAA Skiing Championships at Snow Bowl in Middlebury, Vt.

Tease photo

Steamboat jumper Marsh Gooding soars to top spot in Montana Gelande championships

Marsh Gooding soared to the top spot at the Snowbowl Cup last weekend near Missoula, Mont., marking the first time a Steamboat Springs Gelande jumper has won the event.

Routt County high school basketball teams ready for busy week of playoff action

This is a big week for basketball teams from Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Soroco as playoffs take the game to new levels.

John F. Russell: Taking in the spotlight at state wrestling championships

State wrestling championships give wrestlers a chance to step into the spotlight at one of the best events in high school sports.

Tease photo

Soroco, Hayden wrestlers prepare for state tournament

Two Soroco High School wrestlers and five Hayden High School wrestlers are headed to the Colorado High School State Wrestling Championships, which begin Thursday in Denver.

John F. Russell: I can't imagine Howelsen Ice Area without a roof

It's hard to imagine what Steamboat Springs would be like without the Howelsen Ice Arena. Luckily, we don't have to.

John F. Russell: Traditions continue to live, grow on the streets of Lincoln Avenue

Street events are one of the main reasons thousands of people come to Steamboat Springs each year for Winter Carnival. Sure, there are risks, but the chance to take part has become a right of passage in our mountain town

John F. Russell: Opportunities in athletics come at a cost

There was a time in Steamboat Springs when all high school sports were funded. But those days are gone, and as schools continue to struggle to make ends meet, the challenges of providing increased sporting opportunities in this valley will grow.

John F. Russell: Collecting sports history 1 board at a time

Powder Pursuits owner Chris Smith may not look like a historian, but his collection of historic boards someday will help relay the sports journey to the next generation.

John F. Russell: Professional athletes build, grapple with the images they create

Professional athletes spend years building an image they hope will bring them fame and fortune. But in some cases, that isn't enough.

Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athletes shine in junior championships qualifier

Members of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club's Nordic program grabbed most of the top finishes during a junior national championships qualifier last weekend at Howelsen Hill.

John Russell: Grab a whistle and lend a hand for local youths

The need for local referees is critical to the success of building a strong soccer program in Steamboat Springs.

Former Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club rider races to 4th at Wold Cup

Justin Reiter raced to a fourth-place finish at a World Cup parallel giant slalom race in Bad Gastein, Austria.

Tease photo

Peabody Energy recognizes Hayden kindergarten teacher Laura Voorhees

Hayden teacher Laura Voorhees got a nice surprise Thursday when she was recognized as a leader in education by Peabody Energy.

Tease photo

New take on snow removal helps keep holidays happy for a pair of pilots

Steamboat's airport manager says a new method has proved its worth after two separate incidents involving airplanes during the holidays.

John F. Russell: Chasing dreams isn't always easy in Steamboat Springs

Steamboat Springs graduate Tanner Barr knows that reaching his dreams of playing professional golf means leaving Steamboat Springs behind.

John F. Russell: Steamboat presents challenges for cyclists committed to commuting

Bike to work in Steamboat Springs isn't always a ride in the park, but many local cyclists refuse to let the weather get in the way of their daily routines.

Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs to keep holiday tradition alive

The Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs has stepped up to keep the community holiday party alive after the city of Steamboat Springs cut funding for the annual holiday tradition.

Tease photo

Howelsen Hill Ski Area in downtown Steamboat to open season Saturday

Skiers and snowboarders will have the chance to ski the steep face of Howelsen Hill starting Saturday, when the historic downtown ski area opens for another season.

Prev