University of Vermont Athletics

Russell O. Sunderland 1938 - Baseball, Football

Russ Sunderland, a 1976 Hall of Fame inductee, was one of the most respected athletes at UVM during the 30's, playing football and baseball. A tragic hunting accident snuffed out his life a year after graduating from UVM and soon after, the Russell O. Sunderland Memorial Trophy was developed and presented to the senior student who best exemplified the qualities of Sunderland.

The inscription of the trophy reads: "To that man of the senior class who throughout his college course has best exemplified those qualities of character, leadership and persistence in overcoming obstacles which were outstanding traits in the life of the late Russell O. Sunderland of the Class of '38."

Sunderland captained the 1937 football squad, quarterbacking the team most of the season. Injuries stopped him from having a year like he had as a junior when he was named to the All-State team. Despite injuries, this excellent passing quarterback contributed significantly to the '37 squad. I

n addition to football, Sunderland was a pitcher and outfielder in baseball for three years, leading his team his senior year with a .420 average. He also won the state collegiate batting crown in his junior year with a .444 mark.

Sunderland, who appeared in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, was elected to Gold Key, Key and Serpent and Boulder, all honorary societies and he also was a member of the Faculty-Student Council his junior and senior years.