The Russellville Alumni Association hosted the 2nd Annual Kelly Russell Classic this weekend. The Classic was played Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, at Kelly Russell Field at Russellville Junior/Senior High School. The Classic honored the memory of RHS baseball player, Kelly Russell, a member of the RHS Class of 1974, and supports his scholarship fund. The Panthers hosted Grayson County and Madisonville North Hopkins. On Friday, April 17, at the RHS vs Grayson County game, Kelly’s sister, Mrs. JoAnne Russell Bennett, RHS Class of 1963, threw the first pitch. (picture courtesy of Josh Stratton)   On Saturday, lunch was served to the  teams and coaches at 11 a.m. in the RMS gym, and there was a special presentation as Mrs. Bennett graciously and tearfully accepted a lovely print displaying Kelly's jersey drawn by Sonny Green, a past scholarship recipient. This print will be available for $20 and T-shirts for $15 with proceeds going to the scholarship fund.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with the story of Kelly Russell, Kelly was struck by a baseball while the Panther Baseball team was preparing for a regional game in May, 1974. The alumni association, along with his sister, spent this weekend sharing his story and raising money for the Kelly Russell Scholarship which will be awarded to one of our senior students during our commencement service this year. If you would like to donate or contribute to the scholarship fund, please contact Mrs. Jean Reynolds for more information.

See photo gallery