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William Russell Dickerson
Class of 1979
Athlete
In his senior season of 1977-78, Russ Dickerson was voted 1st Team All-District in football, basketball and baseball. In addition, he was a 1st Team All-State election in baseball. He was also All-District in basketball and baseball as a junior. Russ is remembered by Blue Streak basketball fans for his last-second overtime shot against Robert E. Lee that gave the Streaks the regional championship in the fifth meeting of the year between the two teams. The streaks went on to defeat Bruton in the 1978 state championship game. Russ was also a member of the 1976 state semi-final team and the 1977 regional semi-finalists. In the state finals, Russ made 8 of 8 free throws to establish a record that still exists today.
In football, Russ was a tight end and offensive lineman for 3 seasons, including the 1975-76 regional champions.
In baseball, Russ was a power hitting first baseman/third baseman on HHS teams that achieved a record of 40 wins and 18 losses from 1976-78. He hit 3 home runs against Robert E. Lee in his final game as a Streak, and after graduation from HHS was drafted in the 17th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. Russ chose to enroll at James Madison University on a baseball scholarship where he achieved an outstanding record as a hitter for the Dukes.
In his four years at JMU, Russ had a career batting average of .331 with 32 home runs. In 1981 he established the single season record with 72 runs batted in, which stood until 2008. When he finished his career he was the JMU all-time leader in at-bats and doubles, 2nd in games played and 3rd in hits. He was named to several all-conference and all regional teams, including the East Regional Tournament Team where he batted .500 for the tournament.
Russ is currently a professional instructor at the East Cobb Baseball Academy in the Atlanta area and head baseball coach at Fellowship Christian High School. Numerous players from East Cobb and Fellowship Christian have won baseball scholarships or signed professional contracts in recent years, including six who were drafted in the 1st round this year.
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