Russ Baum
Class of 2002
Cahokia
Russ is a Class of 1970 graduate of Decatur MacArthur High School. He was a two time section champion. He attended Southern Illinois University and lettered in wrestling his freshman and sophomore year. An injury ended his wrestling career after his sophomore year.
In 1974, Russ became an assistant coach at Cahokia, three years later he became the head coach. His teams won four sectional titles and five regional crowns. Under Russ, Cahokia qualified for the IHSA Dual Team State Championship three times. He coached fifty-six state qualifiers, nineteen state place winners and three state champions. His teams compiled a dual meet record of 224-75-5. At this time, Cahokia has no kids club or junior high school wrestling program.
Russ served as the director of District 8 for the Illinois Wrestling Federation and was instrumental in organizing and implementing of wrestling in the Prairie State Games. He served as southern director for the Prairie State Games for 8 years. In 1985, he coached a cultural exchange team to mainland China. Russ has been nominated IWCOA Coach of the Year twice.
In 1990, Russ began officiating. During that time he has refereed at all levels from kids and junior high through college. He has officiated twelve IHSA Regionals, nine Sectionals, two Dual Team State meets and two Individual State Tournaments. He has officiated eleven IWF or IKWF State Tournaments.
Russ has also served as an assistant track coach for thirteen years and as assistant football coach for fifteen years. He currently is the Athletic Director at Cahokia High School.