Hall of Fame
Guard
First team All-WCAC, 1966
Second team All-Northern California, 1966
All-Tournament Team WCAC Tournament, 1966
Honorable Mention All-Coast, 1966
USF Career Years: 1962-1966
Russell Gumina was born on November 16, 1944 in San Francisco and was raised in North Beach. He attended Sacred Heart High School, USF, and eventually USF Law School.
At 6’ 2” and built like Rocky Marciano, he played guard for the Dons basketball team where he averaged 8.5 PPG. He was co-captain of the team and was known for his athletic ability, brainpower, and his wit. Gumina was known as the “clutch-man” and was skilled in play-making, outside shooting and ball-handling. He would often drive through his opponents to reach the basket, and had a 70.5 free throw percentage. He was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the eighth round (78th pick overall) in 1966 but did not play in the NBA.
Russell was active in the Salesian Boys’ Club where, beginning in 1969, he served on staff and as their Executive Director from 1988 to 2015. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was on the 5th Judge Advocate General’s Military Law Center Reserve Unit for 25 years until 1993. Gumina was active in the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, and was on the Board of Regents for Sacred Heart High School. Russell was awarded multiple local awards and honors, including having March 12, 2016 designated as Russell Gumina Day by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
