Rick Russo
WVLT Sports Director
Knoxville, TN
Rick Russo is the Sports Director for WVLT News.
He arrived in Knoxville in August of 1987 when the station call letters were WTVK. Rick remained with the station as it transitioned to VHF becoming WKXT. The final transformation came with the acquisition by Gray Television and the switch of our call letters to WVLT.
Rick's first UT football game was the Kickoff Classic in the Meadowlands in 1987 and he's enjoyed covering the Big Orange ever since, including the memorable championship season of 1998.
Rick has had the pleasure of reporting on everything from high school football to NASCAR and even Super Bowls.
He's been married for 32 years and has two lovely daughters. Rick's family is proud to call East Tennessee home.
Updated: Sep. 14, 2024 at 11:09 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Vols enter 2nd best in scoring offense averaging 60 points per game
Updated: Sep. 12, 2024 at 7:55 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Dave Landeo and friends return for annual event at Rogers Rockin’ Blue Cafe
Updated: Sep. 12, 2024 at 6:01 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Head Coach Tony Vitello and Tennessee will host three CWS teams next season
Updated: Sep. 10, 2024 at 5:57 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
UT’s 39 rushing yards allowed marked the 19th time surrendering less than 100 yards under defensive coordinator Tim Banks.
Updated: Sep. 10, 2024 at 5:34 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Alcoa, West, Maryville and Catholic and Coalfield among highly ranked teams
Updated: Sep. 7, 2024 at 10:27 AM EDT
|By Rick Russo
WVLT media partner Volquest.com invades Charlotte
Updated: Sep. 3, 2024 at 7:05 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
The Tornadoes top man named High School Football Coach of the Week by the Titans Foundation
Updated: Sep. 3, 2024 at 6:47 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Vols will host 2nd annual Visit Knoxville Collegiate Tournament
Updated: Sep. 3, 2024 at 6:01 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
UT WR Coach Kelsey Pope says, "They love playing for that guy"
Updated: Aug. 31, 2024 at 4:09 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Nico Iamaleava throws for a UT record 314 yards in half tossing 3 TD passes in the process
Updated: Aug. 29, 2024 at 11:42 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Carson-Newman opens Ashley Ingram era with a 50-7 victory over Reinhardt
Updated: Aug. 28, 2024 at 11:16 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee welcomes #7 Penn State to Food City Center Friday night
Updated: Aug. 26, 2024 at 7:19 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee sends Malik Willis to Packers for 2025 draft pick
Updated: Aug. 23, 2024 at 11:56 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Varsity All Access powered by 5Star Preps is ready to kickoff the new season
Updated: Aug. 23, 2024 at 6:03 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee to face six Power-5 opponents prior to SEC play
Updated: Aug. 19, 2024 at 9:57 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee turns attention towards season opener
Updated: Aug. 19, 2024 at 11:09 AM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Junior Dylan Sampson leads a talented group into the new season
Updated: Aug. 16, 2024 at 9:03 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Russell Biven and Football Night Live set to kickoff on MyVLT
Updated: Aug. 15, 2024 at 11:08 PM EDT
|By Rylee Robinson and Rick Russo
Several teams across East Tennessee participated in jamborees for fans to get a preview of what they can expect on Friday nights this fall.
Updated: Aug. 13, 2024 at 9:33 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
GCA coaches set to host Camp Daniel
Updated: Aug. 12, 2024 at 7:20 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee’s revamped secondary was the topic of conversation on Monday after the Vols completed their 10th practice of preseason training camp.
Updated: Aug. 6, 2024 at 8:19 AM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Vols leaning on experience heading into new season
Updated: Aug. 1, 2024 at 7:47 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Vols excited about new-look tight ends group
Updated: Jul. 29, 2024 at 9:09 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Dandridge native Peter Malnati holds annual Kids’ Classic to benefit young golfers in East Tennessee
Updated: Jul. 28, 2024 at 7:06 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tony LaRussa led team won 1978 Southern League Championship
Updated: Jul. 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
SEC Media projects Tennessee to finish 7th in League standings
Updated: Jul. 16, 2024 at 2:58 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tuesday was Tennessee Day at the annual pre-season football meetings
Updated: Jul. 16, 2024 at 12:01 AM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee takes its turn at the 2024 SEC Football Media Days on Tuesday at the Omni Hotel in downtown Dallas
Updated: Jul. 11, 2024 at 6:59 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Knoxville AAU girls basketball team earns World Championship
Updated: Jul. 5, 2024 at 11:08 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Building up strength for the Big Orange
Updated: Jul. 5, 2024 at 6:01 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Curley is the seventh UT player to earn postseason All-America recognition
Updated: Jun. 13, 2024 at 10:33 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee opens play Friday night in Omaha against Florida State
Updated: Jun. 12, 2024 at 8:31 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee will practice at Charles Schwab Field on Thursday
Updated: Jun. 6, 2024 at 11:06 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Karns and Gibbs High Schools will host this years Knox Co. Jamboree’s
Updated: Jun. 6, 2024 at 11:04 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Thunder Valley Nationals back at Bristol Dragway
Updated: Jun. 6, 2024 at 11:03 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
#1 Seed Tennessee and #4 Seed Evansville begin play in Knoxville Super Regional Friday afternoon
Updated: Jun. 6, 2024 at 6:20 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee and Louisville basketball to play home and home series beginning next season
Updated: Jun. 6, 2024 at 8:55 AM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Chris and Kate Malveaux named Co-Head coaches at the University of Auburn
Updated: Jun. 5, 2024 at 11:15 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Burdick becomes the 15th Lady Vol basketball player to earn a spot on a USA team at the Olympic Games
Updated: May. 30, 2024 at 7:58 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee opens with Northern Kentucky Friday night at 7:00 p.m.
Updated: May. 30, 2024 at 7:53 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Vols to face Miami in annual Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden
Updated: May. 30, 2024 at 7:45 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Kell was a two-time consensus All-American and three-time All-SEC selection
Updated: May. 29, 2024 at 8:56 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Tennessee opens with Northern Kentucky Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium
Updated: May. 29, 2024 at 8:00 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Gottshall and Pickens are Tennessee’s 20th and 21st NFCA All-Americans
Updated: May. 27, 2024 at 12:47 AM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Lady Vols eliminated by rival Alabama in the Knoxville Super Regional
Updated: May. 25, 2024 at 11:03 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Alabama wins longest ever NCAA Softball Super Regional game, 3-2
Updated: May. 25, 2024 at 7:24 AM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Harry Higgs birdied his final 4 holes finish at 11 under par
Updated: May. 25, 2024 at 1:09 AM EDT
|By Rick Russo
3-Seed Tennessee rallies to beat 14-Seed Alabama 3-2 in game one of the Knoxville Super Regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium
Updated: May. 24, 2024 at 1:53 AM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Several golfers to finish first round in Friday
Updated: May. 21, 2024 at 11:18 PM EDT
|By Rick Russo
Admirals cruise in baseball while Carter wins first ever State softball match-up