Sam Russo, C, North Canton Hoover, Class of 2015

PBR: Why did you choose Butler? 

Russo: The staff impressed me greatly. They are very knowledgeable and I am excited to work with Coach Farley, Coach Miller and Coach Judkins and the others.  I also liked the school and campus, plus the education Butler offers is outstanding. The team has a personal assistant assigned to us that will keep us on track with our grades and just about everything else.  Also playing in the Big East is an honor and of course being on TV a lot and flying often to away games will be cool. 

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Russo: I had communication on going with approximately 10 schools, I don't think it would be fair to name them because they are all good and giving the impression that I did not choose them is not good for anybody.  We did a lot of research on all who contacted me. I don't know who else would have actually offered as I could not schedule all visits due to our travel with OEB. I made it a point to visit Butler despite our schedule because I was the most excited about them. After my visit I just knew they were the fit that I wanted and they impressed me and my family.

PBR: Where did the coaches first see you?  How did your relationship develop with them? 

Russo: At all the showcases I attended at PBR. I guess the TPG was the one that got me the most attention. They had a ton of coaches there and I just had a very good day.  None of the coaches offered visits each one wanted my schedule to see me play again first and then they contacted me again to schedule visits.

PBR: Was distance from home a factor in your decision? 

Russo: Initially I wanted to play somewhere in the South, but my parents said they wanted me no further than 5 hours.  Butler thankfully is right around that so it worked out perfectly. Plus my sister goes to Miami which is on the way to Indy.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus?

Russo: They said they like my catching skills and my current tools.  I have a chance to play my freshman year but I have to continue to work hard and compete against the upper classmen.  Butler does not red shirt, so I have a legit chance and trust what they said, so it's up to me.

PBR: You have participated in numerous PBR events.  How has PBR helped you with the recruiting process?

Russo: I attended a showcase a couple of years ago.  We took Chris Valentine's critique as a positive and I worked hard to get better and catch correctly.  I would not have been recruited without PBR.  Valentine is no nonsense, he tells it like it is.  After getting to know and watch him he is very dedicated and works hard to get the coaches at the events.

PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what is your most memorable experience? 

Russo: I play for Coach Noe/Ohio Elite. He pushes me and has a knack of pushing me to be my best.  Everyone needs to get better and he helps.  Also, the pitching we face is very memorable!  I also had great experiences competing at the showcases against some of the best catchers in the state like Montoya, Regan, Dianna, Laikos and Dalton Davis.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Russo: My dad, he has been training me for 8 years; he is tireless and brutal when it comes to training.  Without him I would not have went D1.

PBR: What were your stats this spring season at North Canton Hoover?

Russo: I was pretty much sidelined my junior year and did not get many at bats.  My lifetime avg. with Hoover on my chest is .435

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher that you have faced in Ohio?

Russo: Sam Bordner without a doubt