Russell “Sox” Walseth was born in South Dakota in 1926. After becoming an all-state basketball player at Pierre High School, he graduated and joined the U.S. Navy before ultimately moving to Colorado where he started his coaching career at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Walseth spent nearly 40 years involved with CU Basketball as a student athlete, assistant coach, and finally head coach. He led the team to three Big Eight Conference Championships during his time as coach, and was named the 6-time Big Eight Coach of the year.
Walseth was the first person to coach both men’s and women’s basketball at the same school. His overall record was an impressive 260-246, making him the winning-est coach in CU basketball history.
He is also a member of the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame.
Russell Walseth died in his home in Boulder on January 28, 2004.
The winning-est coach in CU basketball history.