Damia George Russell was officially appointed as Assistant Track and Field Coach after successfully completing his two-year tenure as graduate assistant.
During a shortened 2019 – 2020, Russell’s second year as a graduate assistant he was instrumental in helping the Cowgirls a 5th place finished at the RMAC championship and coached Abbigale Butler to a 2nd place finished in the pentathlon while securing a provisional qualification to the NCAA nationals championships.
In his first season as graduate assistant with the Cowgirls, he coached Serena Canegan to a third place finish in the high jump at the NCAA championship.
Prior to joining the New Mexico Highlands family, Russell spent the 2017 – 2018 at the Utech, Jamaica MVP Track & Field Club as a Compliance Officer. Before being appointed as Compliance Officer he served as Utech, Jamaica Men’s & Women’s Track & Field manager for seven years, the longest serving manager of any sport at the University of Technology, Jamaica. During this time Russell oversaw the management of multiple championships winning teams both at the JISA Intercollegiate Championships and the Pen Relay Carnival. Russell has also worked with internationally renowned coaches such as Stephen Francis and Paul Francis and athletes such as Stephenie-Ann McPherson, Natasha Morrison, Anneisha McLaughlin, Sherone Simpson, Carrie Russell, Nesta Carter, Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Melaine Walker, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Janieve Russell, Ronald Levy, Julian Forte, Tyquendo Tracey and Andrew Fisher.
Russell also served as head boys & girls track and field coach and head schools’ challenge quiz at the Mona High School for four and five years, respectively. As coach of these teams Russell was instrumental in the growth and development of the teams where he coached multiple finalists and secured school records which still stands to this day.
Russell attended the University of Technology, Jamaica where he was a part of the Men’s track and field team which secured four consecutive championship titles. He also served as a two-time resident assistant for Hall F, the second of two students to accomplish this feat. During his senior year of undergraduate studies, Russell was appointed as Manager of UTech, Ja men’s and women’s track and field teams, head schools’ challenge quiz coach at the Mona High School and a teacher of mathematics upon completion of his undergraduate studies.
In 2017 Russell was appointed to the Jamaica World University Games planning committee. He also sat on the JISA Intercollegiate Track & Field and Cheerleading Championships planning committee from 2016 to 2018. Russell also finds time to offer voluntary services to numerous charities including one named in honour of his grandparents and offers his services as a voluntary manager at his high school in Jamaica, Edwin Allen High School.
Russell has two bachelor’s degrees in Quantity Surveying (Hons) and Sport Sciences (Hons), a master’s in Human Performance & Sport (Hons) and is currently pursuing his PhD in Higher Education Administration: Educational Leadership. He is also a member of the Jamaica Track & Field Coaches Association (JATFCA).
