“Syracuse is obviously a very special place for me and I am thrilled to be returning,” stated Russell. “Lynn has formed a really dynamic coaching staff that I am very much looking forward to working with.
“Bringing my coaching and playing experience to the program excites me. I am both understanding and passionate about the culture and mentality of Syracuse field hockey and will strive to continue to build on these traditions”
The program’s all-time leader in points (140) and goals (57), Russell was a key contributor to the team’s 2015 NCAA Division I National Championship, bookending the final game with the lead off goal and the title-sealing assist against No. 1 North Carolina.
Russell has spent the last five years in her native Ireland, serving as the head of girls’ sport and a business and economics teacher at St. Gerard’s School in Bray, Ireland. There she led the field hockey program and was head of administration for 10 sports.
“A common thread from anyone that knows Emma, whether it’s teammates, coaches, professors, or administrators, is a genuine: ‘I love Emma!’” said Farquhar. “She bleeds Orange, she is a genuine leader with a shark mentality with a fiery spirit and a big heart. You can find Emma on SportsCenter, photos with a national championship trophy, or representing her country. But what elevates Emma as a top-notch individual is her personality. It speaks volumes about Syracuse when your alums return and are elite at their craft.”
On the coaching side, Russell has worked with the Irish Under-18 Girls’ National Team as an assistant coach and is currently leading the team through the European Championships in Germany. Since 2018, Russell has served as an assistant coach for Leinster Hockey with the Under-16 and Under-18 teams, leading three teams to the finals for the Interprovincial competition.
After graduating from Syracuse in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, Russell furthered her education at University College Dublin and Dublin City University, earning Masters of Science degrees in human rights and education, respectively.
During her Orange career, Russell’s sophomore (35), junior (46), and senior (37) campaigns still rank in the program’s top 20 for points in a single season while her junior year saw the Enniskerry, Irelander notch 21 goals, tied for the third-most by a ‘Cuse player in one season.
The two-time NFHCA First Team All-American still holds the program record for NCAA Tournament points (16) bolstered by a program-best six goals during her four years on campus. Russell was a three-time NFHCA All-Region pick, thrice named an All-ACC Selection, and was a three-time ACC Academic Team Selection, in addition to being the Syracuse Female Athlete of the Year for the 2015-16 academic year.
On the world stage, Russell has represented her home country on the Irish Women’s National Team in 2016 through 2018, earning caps against USA, Germany, England, Chile, Belgium, China, Spain, Scotland, and Wales. Russell also led Ireland at the U16, U18, and U21 levels, serving as a captain for the U18 squad while competing at three European Hockey Championships along the way.
Russell later competed in the Irish EYHL National League for University College Dublin and Old Alexandra H.C., winning the league twice, capturing the Irish Senior Cup twice and hoisting the EYHL Champions trophy.
