Feature Story

Blakely Peppinger
Feature Story
May 7, 2008

Most people in this community know who the starting quaterback is here at Idaho State University. They also may know the team's record and even the stats of a few players. Since there are over 80 players on the football team at one time, it is hard to get to know any team member off the feild. One outstading player that has made a difference for ISU football is the current starting quarterback Russel Hill.

Russel comes from the Boise area and is a graduate of Timberline High School. He was a standout football palyer for Timberline as well as a star baseball player. In his junior and senior years, he led Timberline's football team to a 12-7 combined record. During his senior year, he helped carry the baseball team to a state championship.

Russel came to ISU in January of 2006 and redshirted that fall. He then earned the position as starting quarterback in 2007 as a Freshman.

Russel comes from a family of alumni of Idaho State. His father and grandfather both attended the University. His father Daryl has not missed a home game since Russ started his college career as a Bengal.

Russel's girlfriend of three years, Bonnie Wagstaff, has recently been called on an LDS mission to New Zealand. She has been to almost all of Russel's games and was with him throughout their senior year at Timberline. She will be leaving in July and will miss his sophmore season. She played volleyball in Wyoming her freshman year at Eastern Wyoming College. She then transfered to ISU last fall and played volleyball for the bengals.

Russel's teammates and coaches all think very highly of his dedication and character on and off the field. Teammate and friend Preston Kelly said, "Russ is a great leader through his hard work and passion for this team." The respect that Russel has earned from his teammates will surely benefit the team this fall.

His latest honor was receiving the "Newcomer of the Year" award at the annual Bennion Banquet. Russel will surely have many other awards coming his way throughout the remainder of his career at ISU.