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Randy Russell may wear a size 13 shoe, but as FHS’s new activities director, he has even bigger shoes to fill. Russell he knows that it will be strenuous following 22-year veteran Gene Boyle, but he’s not intimidated.
“It’s difficult coming in behind a legend,” said Russell. “I’m looking forward to the challenge, though.”
Russell stepped into FHS in August and has already made some long strides.
FHS has annually had to renegotiate with soda-pop vendors for their services. Now that Russell is activities director, however, Coca-Cola is giving the school $10,000 in scholarship money over a five-year period, as well as a five-year contract for the company’s services. In addition, further negotiations with Coca-Cola secured money from the corporation for the school, making possible the purchase of the two new scoreboards at Rawson Field, and soon for the gymnasium.
Russell said he’s mainly working for the student welfare.
“I’m just trying to get the biggest bang for our buck for the students,” said Russell.
Russell said he has been impressed with the students and the facilities at Flathead, but there are a few things that he sees that need to be changed.
“We (the students and staff) need to work on improving the facilities,” said Russell. “They are great now, but I look around, and I know that they could be better.”
Around FHS, Russell already has made his mark in improving or maintaining facilities. Rawson Field has a brand new scoreboard, and modified bleachers to make them more handicap accessible. The gym has designated areas and ropes to protect the gym floor from students, and a four-sided scoreboard is on order and will arrive soon. Russell has worked with coaches to make sure they have no problems with the new season and that all field workers were trained properly.
Though the transition from small schools in Spokane to the largest high school in Montana was surprising, Russell said he’ll handle it.
Said Russell:
“Even though Boyle wears a size seven and I wear a size 13, I know I still have some big shoes to fill. But I’m going to do my best.”
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