Crespi to Hold Retirement Party for White’s No. 4

After 3 years of posting record-breaking numbers, Crespi High tailback Russell White will have his uniform number retired at Friday night’s Del Rey League game against St. Francis at Birmingham High.

White, who has worn jersey No. 4 since he played youth football, will be honored after the game, the Celts’ last regular-season home contest. He will be the first player in school history to have his number retired, Athletic Director Paul Muff said.

“I think in Russell we have an athlete who has accomplished things that no other player at this school has done,” Muff said. “We’ve had some great athletes here, but no one who has done what Russell has done on a state and national level.”

Muff said White’s jersey will be placed in the school trophy case after the playoffs. White will be presented with an honorary certificate. White, a consensus preseason All-American, set state rushing and scoring records last month.

Muff said interest surrounding White’s jersey retirement has spurred talk on campus of opening an athletic hall of fame. Among active professional athletes who have attended Crespi are catcher Rick Dempsey of the Dodgers, center Paul Mokeski of the Milwaukee Bucks, offensive lineman Randy Cross of the San Francisco 49ers, and quarterback Babe Laufenberg of the San Diego Chargers.