WVU Sports Hall of Fame
Russ Meredith
- Induction:
- 2001
- Class:
- 1922
The late Russ Meredith was a four-year football letterman, playing for WVU during the 1917 and the 1920-22 seasons.
First-year coach Clarence Spears moved Meredith to left tackle during his junior season in 1921, and by 1922, Meredith was considered one of the top speed tackles in the East. Meredith perfectly suited Spears’ shift offense that required speed, athleticism, fitness and precision. He played a key role in the memorable win at Pitt when his blocked punt was returned 28 yards for a touchdown in a 9-6 win.
Meredith was one of three brothers to play college football: younger brothers Cy (Marshall) and John (Pitt) were the others.
Playing tackle on offense and defense, he served as team captain in 1922, the same year he was named All-America by the New York World. In the East-West Bowl that year against Gonzaga (WVU’s first-ever bowl game), Meredith returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown.
A Fairmont, West Virginia, native, Meredith later played with the NFL’s Louisville Brecks and Cleveland Bulldogs and coached at East Fairmont High, Marshall, WVU and Salem.
A member of the West Virginia state legislature during the 1930s, Meredith was the owner of an International Harvester dealership and Meredith Trucking Co. He died in 1989.
He was named an inaugural member of WVU’s Mountaineer Legends Society in 2016.
First-year coach Clarence Spears moved Meredith to left tackle during his junior season in 1921, and by 1922, Meredith was considered one of the top speed tackles in the East. Meredith perfectly suited Spears’ shift offense that required speed, athleticism, fitness and precision. He played a key role in the memorable win at Pitt when his blocked punt was returned 28 yards for a touchdown in a 9-6 win.
Meredith was one of three brothers to play college football: younger brothers Cy (Marshall) and John (Pitt) were the others.
Playing tackle on offense and defense, he served as team captain in 1922, the same year he was named All-America by the New York World. In the East-West Bowl that year against Gonzaga (WVU’s first-ever bowl game), Meredith returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown.
A Fairmont, West Virginia, native, Meredith later played with the NFL’s Louisville Brecks and Cleveland Bulldogs and coached at East Fairmont High, Marshall, WVU and Salem.
A member of the West Virginia state legislature during the 1930s, Meredith was the owner of an International Harvester dealership and Meredith Trucking Co. He died in 1989.
He was named an inaugural member of WVU’s Mountaineer Legends Society in 2016.
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