While he is best known as the coach of the 1965 Little League World Champion Baseball team, Russ Mattesen has touched the lives of

athletes in Windsor Locks for five decades.  A star athlete at Stafford High School, class of 1950, Russ moved to Windsor Locks in 1955 and made the transition from great athlete to dedicated coach. He coached Little League Baseball continuously from 1962 until 1976, frequently being selected to coach the league’s all-star team. Besides coaching the World Champion team in 1965, Russ coached Little League state champion teams in 1966 and 1972. For over fourteen years Russ coached soccer and basketball in the Windsor Locks recreational program. Along with fellow Hall of Famer, Bob O’Connor, Russ

coached a 6th grade All-Star basketball team initiating a home and away series with Rockville, Maryland that continues to this day. In 1986 and 1991, Russ again proved his mettle on the national stage managing two ASA Softball teams to world championships.  Over forty years from his first coaching assignment, Russ returned to coaching the Windsor Locks Little League’s junior division in 2003, again coaching that league’s all-star team. As an assistant to his son Rusty, Russ has continued to coach American Legion Baseball in Windsor Locks winning both the zone and state championships. Proving his still has the championship touch; in 2006 Russ managed the junior American Legion team to a zone championship

Through it all, Russ Mattesen has remained a quiet, humble leader, a fine role model for the athletes he has coached and the coaches he has mentored.  In Windsor Locks, Russ Mattesen is The Coach of Champions.