Alverno softball coach Frank Russo Jr. will be missed

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The Southern California high school community lost a respected administrator and mentor when longtime Alverno softball coach and athletic director Frank Russo Jr. died Sunday. Russo, 48, died after suffering a stroke Friday.

Russo would have entered his 19th season as Alverno softball coach this week. Under his guidance, the Jaguars captured 13 league titles (including nine straight heading into this season) and have made the postseason 17 times over the last 18 seasons, winning a CIF-Southern Section division title in 2004. In addition, Russo served as athletic director for 13 years.

Russo’s influence also extended deeply to the school’s soccer team because some of its players also compete on the softball team. As a result, Alverno‘s Division VII girls’ soccer championship game against Vasquez has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Mission Viejo High School in order to accommodate funeral services for Russo.

The Division II boys’ championship game between Santa Ana and Placentia Valencia has been moved up to 4 p.m. Go here for updated boys’ and girls’ playoff brackets.

Alverno’s softball team opens the season Saturday in the Duarte tournament against Flintridge Sacred Heart.

Russo is survived by his father, Frank Russo Sr., and his mother, Carmela.

-- Austin Knoblauch

Logo: http://www.alverno-hs.org/