DUKE OF THE DIRE : PROGRAM CUT? JUST CALL RUSSELL.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer

If Duke Russell was a baseball pitcher, he would be a reliever like Jeff Shaw or Troy Percival. That's because when Russell enters the game, it's under dire circumstances and he usually gets the save.

Area coaches have credited Russell with several saves over the years. Need an activist to fight for your program? Russell is the man, the savior who will work to keep programs alive.

``It's important to this nation. . . We need (sports),'' the 73-year-old retired electrician said from his Hollywood home. ``It's part of the education of these kids. That's why they go to school and get jobs. That's why I do what I do.''

Russell's record speaks to his desire: He has helped keep baseball alive at Los Angeles and Pasadena city colleges and is fighting to bring back programs at West L.A. and Mission.

He also led the opposition against Cal State Northridge administrators, especially then-President Blenda Wilson, when baseball and three other men's sports were cut in 1997. He regularly wrote letters to the editor and attended public hearings, often bringing people with him to speak. His actions, as well as that of state Sen. Cathie Wright, R-Simi Valley, helped the sports get reinstated.

Russell also worked with Wright in drafting Senate Bill 338, which calls for advance warning should any program be in danger of being cut.

His efforts have been noticed. Saturday in San Diego, he will be honored by the California Coaches Association for his activism. Wright will present him with the award.

``He's been a real crusader for amateur baseball,'' UCLA coach Gary Adams said. ``He's our lobbyist. Coaches are so busy coaching our teams. This guy can get down in the ditches and meet the presidents. He gets things done. He'd be the first guy I'd call.''

From his early days at Hollywood High (Class of 1944) and Los Angeles City, Russell loved baseball. It was the game, he said, that helped him focus on his studies because he had to if he wanted to keep playing.

``I was not an exceptional student,'' he said, ``but playing on a team and playing with those guys every afternoon made me want to go to school everyday.''

Vic Bargas, a childhood friend, can attest to Russell's passion for baseball. Bargas remembers Russell playing in the rain. Another friend, Bob Manring, recalls that Russell made a batting aid to help him swing level: a ball on a spring attached to the garage door.

Russell, a shortstop, was good enough to be signed by the Dodgers in 1947 and assigned to their Class-C (today's equivalent of Single-A) affiliate in Santa Barbara. He played one season before quitting.

His career as an activist began in 1986 when he read in the newspaper that L.A. City was cutting baseball.

He called the coach, Phil Pote, and asked what he could do to help. Pote suggested he write letters to the college president and to the president of the Los Angeles Community College District board.

Russell wrote letters and even spoke at the next board meeting. Baseball was saved.

Nine years later, it happened again, only Pote was too busy to actively crusade, so Russell took over and helped save the program again.

``He has a strong sense of, if I may be trite, doing the right thing,'' said Pote, now a Seattle Mariners scout. ``These are causes he thinks are important. He has rechanneled his energies to give the kids better opportunities. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't have the same motivation. What he does is important. People should help. There are Duke Russells out there who want to make the world better.''

In 1996, the same situation happened in Pasadena. Russell found it absurd that Dodgers great Jackie Robinson's alma mater would be cutting baseball. He made about 50 calls to get people to attend the next board meeting and protest.

``This is agonizing, to make calls to get people to attend,'' Russell said. ``People have families. They're working. They can't go to meetings. The system isn't set up to help.''

He also learned from his calls that Robinson's sister-in-law, Delano, still lived in Pasadena. He convinced her to speak at the meeting.

``She said, `I just had back surgery,' '' Russell said. ``She came with a cane. When she talked, it made an impression on the president.''

When Wilson announced baseball, soccer, volleyball and swimming were to be cut at CSUN, Russell mobilized again. He attended CSU Board of Trustees meetings and organized as the Committee To Save Four Olympic Men's Sports at CSUN.

Still, there are more battles. West L.A. and Mission remain without baseball programs (Mission's entire athletic program was cut in 1997).

As long as there are fights, Russell will fight.

``You have to have your crusaders,'' Wright said. ``He's been so supportive of community athletics. People can look back and say, `Without Duke Russell, we wouldn't be playing.' ''

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