Russell G. Ashbaugh (1976) - Hall of Fame - Brown University Athletics

Russell G. Ashbaugh

Induction:
1976
Class:
1913

Russell G. "Busty" Ashbaugh '13
Hometown: Youngstown, OH
Sport: Football
Year Inducted: 1976

Russell G. "Busty" Ashbaugh '13, a Walter Camp third-team choice at end in 1912, was a rough and tumble defensive player and became the first of the University's great pass receiving ends. A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Ashbaugh came to Brown from Rayen High. The 5-10, 185-pounder scored seven career touchdowns, five of them on passes from Bill Sprackling '12, the nation's finest quarterback of that period. "Busty was way ahead of his time as a receiver," Sprackling says. "He could pull the ball out of the air like the great ends of today." Ashbaugh starred for three years, captained the team as a senior, to lead the nation. After serving as head coach at Rhode Island State for the 1913 season, Ashbaugh returned to Youngstown as coach at South High, where in 24 years his teams were 135-26 in one of the toughest football conferences in America. He made South High one of the powers in the state and helped develop a number of future All-Americans, including Bob Dove, Notre Dame end, and Wes Fesler of Ohio State. An astute strategist, Ashbaugh's teams were tricky and colorful, and he became known as "Mr Football" in Youngstown. From 1914-19, Ashbaugh had played pro-football with the Patricians and once drop-kicked a 65-yard field goal against Massillon. His son, Russell Jr., was a star halfback for Notre Dame during World War II. Busty Ashbaugh died of a heart attack on Nov. 21, 1953 at age 64.