Hall of Fame Inductee - Terry Russell
For more than three decades, Terry has dedicated his time and efforts to serving his community in southwest Wisconsin. A graduate of a vocational-technical program in Business and Marketing, Terry went on to a 40-year career in the auto parts industry, spending his entire professional career with Ray Hutson Chevrolet/Nissan in La Crosse.
Outside his career, Terry was devoted to community service and youth development. He has been an active member of the Stoddard Lions Club for over 35 years, earning the Melvin Jones Fellowship and the Knight of Sight Award. His commitment to youth also led to 10 years of service on the De Soto Area School Board, along with recognition from the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association with its Distinguished Service Award in 2017.
Terry has had an immense impact on the youth sports programs in Stoddard. He managed the Stoddard youth summer baseball program for 25 years, providing generations of players with the opportunity to learn the game and develop both skills and character. Over the years, he coached multiple sports and teams, including baseball teams up to the 14-and-under level.
In 1994, he established the Stoddard American Legion Baseball program, which continues today, proudly, as the smallest legion program in the state. The program has achieved three Regional championships and one State championship, and has influenced hundreds of young athletes.
Terry has been married to his wife, Becki, for 56 years. Together they have raised six children - three sons and three daughters - and are proud grandparents to 13 grandchildren. Terry & Becki are familiar faces at De Soto sporting events, making it a point to attend at least one game each season for most sports—and for baseball and football, nearly every game. He has filmed De Soto High School football games for more than 30 years.
If you have attended a De Soto sporting event, chances are you have seen Terry and Becki in the stands or press box, a steady and recognizable presence supporting youth sports in their community.
Guest Speaker
The American Legion National Commander Dan Wiley
An Air Force veteran, Wiley is a retired state district court judge who raises cattle in Leavenworth, Kan. Following his Air Force service, Wiley obtained a bachelor’s degree in business at the College of Great Falls in Montana. He returned to his hometown of Lawrence, Kan., and earned a law degree at the University of Kansas.
Wiley has held many leadership positions at The American Legion post, department (state) and national levels. He is a paid-up-for-life member of Byron H. Mehl American Legion Post 23 in Leavenworth and is a past department commander of Kansas. He also represented the state as a member of The American Legion’s National Executive Committee.
Appointed by the Kansas governor as a district court judge in 2008, Wiley helped establish and preside over the Leavenworth County Veterans Treatment Court. He has been active in his community and is a past president of the Leavenworth / Lansing Chamber of Commerce, a past chairman of the Leavenworth County Veterans Day Parade Committee and a former member of the Unified School District 453 School Board.
As national commander, Wiley is a strong advocate for The American Legion’s Be the One mission to prevent veteran suicide. He emphasizes inclusivity in the American Legion Family through the theme, Better Together!
Wiley and his wife, Sonia, have two children, Austin and Christy, and one grandson.