Ernie Russ began his career with Hamden Hall in 1947 as a science teacher. In his six decade-plus tenure at Hamden Hall, he also served as a coach, advisor, team statistician, equipment manager, and Building and Grounds advisor. Sadly, Ernie passed in 2016 but his legacy lives on. According to Head of School Bob Izzo in a tribute to Ernie upon his passing, "Ernie lived a long, rewarding, and honorable life that included service in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII."

In 2007, more than 200 admirers attended a dinner that marked the establishment of the Ernie Russ Endowment & Scholarship Fund. When Ernie turned 95 in 2015, the Hamden Hall community rededicated a pine tree that had been planted in his honor in 2007. A month later at Commencement 2015, our community paid homage to Ernie with the presentation of the Hamden Hall Medal of Distinction for his exemplary service to our school.