The 1980s saw a great run for men’s basketball under the
guidance of head coach Ken Kaufman. A key cog at the beginning of
that successful era was Russ Philpot.
A Somerville native and graduate of North Cambridge Catholic,
Philpot began playing a key role as a reserve during his freshman
season of 1979-80, averaging 4.8 points and 4.4 rebounds as the
Engineers went 9-13.
Sophomore year saw him blossom into a legitimate star. He was
named team MVP and a UPI Division III second team All-New England
selection after scoring 20.2 points per game an impressive 61
percent shooting from the floor. Philpot had a record-setting
season on the boards, tying the school record with 197 rebounds
(8.6). His season may have been highlighted by a two-day stretch
that saw a 30-point performance in a 56-38 road win at Coast Guard
and 29 points and 11 rebounds in a victory over Middlebury.
The winter of 1981-82 was one of uncharted waters for the WPI
basketball program. The season started out well with a 88-78 win
against archrival Clark in the championship of the Worcester Four
Home Federal Savings Tipoff Tournament. Philpot registered 26
points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists as the Engineers halted
Clark’s streak of 36 straight victories over New England
Division III opponents.
The season continued, with key wins over Trinity (on the road)
and Williams, helping the Crimson and Gray earn its first-ever NCAA
Tournament bid. Pitted in a regional with defending national
champion Potsdam State and Clark, the Engineers dropped a
heartbreaking 58-57 decision to host Salem State in a game that
featured 17 lead changes and 11 ties. Philpot totaled 23 points en
route to capping a season averaging 16.6 points and 8.7 rebounds
and setting a new season rebounding record.
“Russell was an extremely talented player,”
commented Hall of Famer Kaufman. “He improved every year at
WPI until he became the player that all our opponents tried to
stop. He was such a proficient scorer, we called one of our
offenses “Give it Russell.”
Philpot eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone early in his senior
year, posting 16 points while defeating Nichols in December of
1982. It was only a sign of things to come—in February he
surpassed Rick Wheeler’s all-time school scoring record.
Individual marks were not the only new standards set during
the1982-83 campaign as the Engineers as a team won a school-best 15
games.
He ended his career with 1,397 career points. The mechanical
engineering major was a two-time ECAC first-team All-New England
all-star and a two-time member of the National Association of
Basketball Coaches All-District team.
In the professional world, he has amassed astrong track record
in industry, including a U.S. Patent, publication in numerous
national trade magazines, and recognition in national and
international sales. Russ and his wife, Lynne (Ondek ’82),
have lived in Sterling the past 20 years, enjoying “small
town” life. Their daughters, Sarah and Lindsey, are both in
college.
