Cunningham named Oakland’s golf coach
ROCHESTER HILLS — Russ Cunningham has been named as head men’s and women’s golf coach, announced by Director of Athletics Tracy Huth on Monday. A native of Ionia, Mich., Cunningham was named Michigan Amateur Golfer of the Decade by the Golf Association of Michigan in 2010.
“Russ has been a tremendous player himself and his experiences at Michigan State and Campbell University made him a top candidate for this position,” said Huth. “He also has a background in fund raising and customer relations that is very important for this position here at Oakland University. Russ will make a great addition to our staff.”
Cunningham has over five years of NCAA Division I golf coaching experience at Michigan State University (1996-99) and Campbell University (1993-95) in Buies Creek, N.C. He was assistant men’s golf coach at MSU and assistant men’s and women’s golf coach at Campbell.
Cunningham began his own consulting company in 2001 called RJC Ventures. There he provided services for mid-size businesses, non-profit organizations and golf and hospitality industries. Most recently he served as president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Central Michigan from 2008-10.
A graduate of Campbell University, Cunningham earned All-Big South honors in 1992 and ‘93 while leading the Camels to consecutive Big South Conference championships. He earned a master’s degree in exercise science (1996) and a bachelor’s degree in sports management (1993).
Cunningham continues to be one of the top golfers in the state of Michigan and has nine tournament victories statewide, with his most recent triumph coming at the 2010 Michigan Publinx Match Play Championship.
An avid volunteer for the Greater Lansing Amateur Golf Association (GLAGA), Cunningham is serving as board president offering fund raising and operation guidance. He started the MARY JO TOMAC Collegiate Golf Scholarship which gives up to $2,500 a year to a high school graduating senior or current collegiate player in honor of his mother.
Category: Campus Clips, Colleges / Other, Oakland University
