From Her Vibrant Personality to Her Special Cookies, Kate Russell's Memory Remains Strong

For the third consecutive year, the softball team held its annual Kate Russell memorial game against at Smith Field.

Although a game between the crosstown schools always carries a little added significance, the rivalry on the field took a back seat on Wednesday, as the night focused on the memory of Russell, a former Par Hills athlete and 2007 grad who died in March 2009 while on spring break in the Dominican Republic.

Russell’s impact in Parsippany was illustrated by the swarms of people who filled the Smith Field bleachers on Wednesday night.

“Kate was a phenomenal person and player,” Par Hills head coach Chrissy Russell explained. “She was the kind of kid that always put her team first. She didn’t care about how she did during the game, all she cared about was the success of her teammates. She was a team captain and a team leader. I can’t say enough good things about her.”

Kate Russell was a sophomore at Montclair State University spending spring break in the Dominican Republic, when she suffered a head injury and died during an accident on a small recreational boat at the Dominican Republic beach resort of Punta Cana.

Three years later, Russell’s lasting effect lives on throughout Parsippany, as the Vikings’ softball team started the Kate Russell Scholarship Fund, awarded to a graduating Par Hills senior each year.

“It’s just a great turnout, it’s great for her memory,” Kate’s father, John, said after the game. “The support for her and the scholarship, it’s nice to see people that she played with and that coached her. It’s very special.”

While teammates and class members remember Russell's outgoing and friendly personality, volunteers do their best each year to keep another of her legacy’s alive, this one in the form of the cookies that she made for each Par Hills away game.

The cookies, which were handed out to those in attendance, consist of chocolate, oatmeal, frosting and sprinkles, among other things.

“It’s a wonderful turnout, for a great cause,” said Peggy Hoyt, one of many volunteers collecting donations on Wednesday night. “Kate was a very special player for the Parsippany Hills softball team and this is in her honor.

"These are her famous cookies that she used to make for all of the away games, that we give out to everyone who comes and supports us. All of the money that people donate goes to the scholarship fund.”

The Par Hills softball team also held raffles, with proceeds also going to the Kate Russell Scholarship Fund.

“Kate touched so many people in so many different ways,” the Par Hills' head coach said. "We always get a huge draw from our little league, the middle school, elementary schools and all of the kids who have graduated and are away at college, always come back for this game. It’s a really special day.”

After losing the first two memorial games dedicated to Russell, including losses to Parsippany and Randloph High, Par Hills was able to pull out a 3-2 win this year, courtesy of a three-run double from Cara McNeil in the fifth inning.

“It’s indescribable,” McNeil said of recording the game-winning hit. “We came out and the only thing on our minds were Kate and her family. We knew we owed this to her. We had to do it.”

While Par Hills comes into each game competing for a win, the team had a different feeling heading into this one.

“We said coming into this game the biggest thing about this game wasn’t win or lose,” Chrissy Russell said. “We’ve been playing this memorial game for Kate for three years and the last two years we’ve lost, once to Parsippany High and once to Randolph, and we haven’t played to our ability. The only thing that I said to the girls coming into this game was that we have to make Kate proud. And I know that tonight we made Kate proud.”

Getting the win over Parsippany High, and the win for Kate, is extra special to the Viking team.

“It’s amazing,” senior Kylie Taylor said after the game. “It feels really good to win it for Kate especially. It’s phenomenal to see how many people care about our team and the Russell family, and to have her still being alive in this game and in our hearts. Even though she isn’t here, we know she’s with us.”

The softball game aside, Wednesday night was about much more. Celebrating the lasting memory of a special Par Hills fixture.

“I guess it just shows how highly regarded she was, and how loved and respected she was,” Kate’s father said. “The player that she was, the person that she was. It’s satisfying in that aspect.”