Remembering Glenn "Russ" Steward
Glenn Russell “Russ” Steward was a UNF Cross Country runner from 1999-2002. Russ was known for always giving his best effort and encouraging his teammates. He was never the fastest, but always the hardest-working. Russ is remembered for his wit, sense of humor and huge smile.
In 2000, Russ and a friend attempted to run the coast of Florida from Pompano Beach to Jacksonville. Due to an injury, they had to stop and Russ vowed to finish at a later date.
In 2001, Russ was struck by a car during a training run. Though doctors gave him a slim chance of survival, Russ pulled through. After extensive physical and mental rehabilitation, he returned to UNF in the fall of 2002. His return served as an inspiration to his teammates and friends across UNF.
Tragically, shortly after returning to UNF, Russ passed away due to an undiagnosed heart condition on September 16, 2002.
The Ride for Russ
A year after Russ passed, his teammates and friends vowed to finish his coastal run by cycling from UNF to Russ’s final resting place in Pompano Beach, FL. The first Ride for Russ was an emotional tribute to a great friend and a way for his friends and teammates to come together to create a scholarship in his memory. The group completed the first Ride For Russ themed “Finishing What He Started” and raised $25,000, which created the Russ Steward Memorial Track & Cross Country Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is now awarded each year to a student-athlete that embodies Russ’s work ethic and eagerness to motivate and encourage teammates.
Now, after 20 years the theme is “Hustle for The Muscle,” a nod to his nickname, and is more about sharing his memory with a new generation. Russ was well-known as a big dreamer and a hard worker, and what better way to honor that than by pushing your comfort level and committing to the 350-mile Ride For Russ or Run For Russ. The original group of riders encourages anyone to join in the 350-mile ride from Jacksonville to Russ’s final resting place in Pompano Beach December 7-10, 2022. They also encourage anyone to commit to riding or running 350 miles on their own or doing any other physical activity that will allow them to “Hustle for The Muscle.”
Why Your Support is Important
The Russ Steward Memorial Track & Cross Country Endowed Scholarship keeps Russ's legacy as a part of the UNF Track & Cross Country team alive and helps to inspire future generations of student-athletes. The scholarship helps recipients dedicate their efforts to excellence in both athletics and academics.
We encourage you to join the Run or Ride for Russ 350 Challenge at your own pace and make your gift of any size today. More information can be found here on Facebook.
A special thank you goes to our first corporate sponsor, Patriot Rail, for their generous gift of $4,000 to help motivate others to make their impact. Thank you for your support!