Rick Russo
WVLT Sports Director
Knoxville, TN
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/0165076b-6371-4f86-a74e-736c82ee34fd.png)
Rick Russo is the Sports Director for WVLT News.
He arrived in Knoxville in August of 1987 when the station call letters were WTVK. Rick remained with the station as it transitioned to VHF becoming WKXT. The final transformation came with the acquisition by Gray Television and the switch of our call letters to WVLT.
Rick's first UT football game was the Kickoff Classic in the Meadowlands in 1987 and he's enjoyed covering the Big Orange ever since, including the memorable championship season of 1998.
Rick has had the pleasure of reporting on everything from high school football to NASCAR and even Super Bowls.
He's been married for 32 years and has two lovely daughters. Rick's family is proud to call East Tennessee home.
Instability for the last decade plus has hurt Tennessee's ability to have success on the field
Possible punishment against Tennessee could vary defending on level of infractions
Jeremy Pruitt is the latest head football coach on Rocky Top to find the going more rocky than rosy!
Titans offensive coordinator could be next head coach in Atlanta
Pruitt, Ansley and Steele headed to California to speak with Henry To'o To'o
Lady Vols ready for action after having 2020 season canceled
Sites are selected for 2021 and 2022 athletic seasons
Crossville community comes to the assist of CCHS basketball
Steele returns to his alma mater amid an in-house inquiry into alleged improprieties within Tennessee’s football program
Internal investigation appears to be winding down with decision on Pruitt and UT staff to follow
Josiah-Jordan James learned this week that he lost all his belongings in a fire that occurred at his family home in South Carolina
Tennessee looks to rebound from 71-63 loss at home to Alabama
The UT head coach stopped by Calhoun's Monday night to talk basketball on Vol Calls
The South Carolina native made the news official on Tuesday morning via his Instagram account.
The Titans are the first NFL franchise to have two players reach the 2,000-yard rushing mark
NCAA to stage all 67 of it's post season tournament games in the state of Indiana
Steelers QB shows off new brand with a line of slick looking hats
For 30 plus years, Tim Reese has been the driving force behind one of the most recognizable buildings on UT campus.
From Covid to compliance there are several issues surrounding Jeremy Pruitt's program
Brent Hubbs discusses what's unique about both situations
Tennessee gets 18 points from Victor Bailey Jr., one of six vols to finish in double figures.
Volquest editor discusses Tennessee compliance issues and Bowl invite
The Vols are able to accept a bid because there is no minimum win requirement to earn a bowl selection this season.
Tennessee dominates the Spartans inside with 40 points in the paint
For the first time ever, Tennessee welcomes Texas A&M to Neyland Stadium
Freshman Jaden Springer led the way with 21 points for Tennessee.
The honor is bestowed upon student athletes by the Southeastern Conference
Rennia Davis scores 19 and Rae Burrell 18 points as Lady Vols improve to 4-1
Wednesday is the first day of the early signing period for college football, and it will run through Friday this week. After that, the final signing day will be on Wednesday, February 3.
The Basketball Vols take on the Appalachian Mountaineers tonight at Thompson-Boling
It's senior day on Saturday at Neyland as several Vols say goodbye to Big Orange Country
The Vols and Bearcats meeting for the 8th time overall. The Cats won last years meeting in Cincinnati winning 78-66.
Commodores have won three of the last four against Tennessee
Lady Vols are coming off an overtime loss to West Virginia in the SEC/Big-12 Challenge
In its first game in 276 days, the 12th-ranked Tennessee basketball team took down Colorado in a tight defensive struggle
From different worlds, Yves Pons and John Fulkerson have come together on Rocky Top to lead the Big Orange
Former Anderson County standout has Coastal Carolina undefeated and ranked among the nation's top 15 teams
Tennessee playing rival Florida in December for the first time since 2001
This will be the 39th title game appearance in Wildcat football history.
The Alcoa Tornadoes have won an astounding 18 football state championships in 34 tries, the latest being in 2019.
Alcoa and Oak Ridge are among the featured teams Friday in Cookeville in the annual Blue Cross Bowl