Russell Coleman was a member of the 1963-64 Blue Devils Basketball team which led the nation averaging 117.5 points per game. Russell also led the nation in scoring that year totaling 1,042 points and earned NJCAA All-American Honors. Russell averaged 32.0 points per game while at Centralia Junior College (Kaskaskia College) highlighted by a record-setting 62 point effort. 

Russell was a top individual scorer and was integral to this team winning the Mt Vernon Invitational Tournament, the Harrisburg Invitational Tournament, the Southern Illinois College Conference for two consecutive years, Illinois Junior College Championship and in securing the title of NJCAA Sectional IV Champions. Russell led the team to a State Championship in March 1963. 

In 1986, Russell was inducted into the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame for his All-State Special Mention Honors in the Chicago American and the Champaign News Gazette. 

After graduating from Kaskaskia College, Russell went on to Loyola University in Chicago but before the start of the season he answered the call to serve his country in the Vietnam War. During that time, Russell was able to play basketball while stationed in Germany.  Russell returned stateside and resideded in New York for twelve years before returning to Centralia, Illinois. He remains an active volunteer in the local community serving on numerous commissions and boards including the Centralia Hall of Fame Committee and the Superheroes Mentoring Program.