23 Russell Ellington

Russell Ellington was born Russell Ford “Duke” Ellington in Louisville, Kentucky, to Russell F. Ellington and Eunice S. Brown Ellington. A graduate of Louisville’s duPont Manual High School, Ellington enrolled at the University of Kentucky in 1933 and became one of the school’s outstanding dual-sport athletes during the mid-1930s. He lettered in both football and basketball, earned the respect of his teammates by being elected captain of Kentucky’s basketball team, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1937, and later devoted much of his life to athletics, business and supporting the University of Kentucky.

Ellington joined Adolph Rupp’s freshman basketball squad during the 1934-35 season and quickly developed into a promising varsity prospect. Playing primarily as a reserve guard, he appeared in 17 games as a sophomore, scoring 35 points. His finest offensive performance came against Georgia Tech on February 9, 1935, when he scored a career-high 11 points on five field goals and one free throw to help lead Kentucky to victory. He also contributed six points against Tulane and added four points against Xavier later in the season.

As a junior in 1935-36, Ellington continued to serve as one of Rupp’s top reserves, appearing in 15 games and scoring 12 points. Although his scoring opportunities were limited, contemporary newspaper accounts consistently identified him as one of Kentucky’s most promising young players. His teammates’ confidence in his leadership became evident following the season when they elected him captain of Kentucky’s 1936-37 basketball team.

Ellington and Hagan shared more than the basketball court. Both were Louisville natives, graduates of duPont Manual High School, and teammates on Kentucky’s football team. Newspapers frequently referred to Ellington by the nickname “Duke,” a nod to famed orchestra leader Duke Ellington, and often mentioned the pair together as two of Kentucky’s finest young athletes.

While basketball introduced Ellington to Kentucky fans, football became equally important to his collegiate career. Coach Chet Wynne converted him into one of the Wildcats’ regular ends, and throughout the summer and fall of 1936 newspapers consistently identified Ellington and Hagan as Kentucky’s leading candidates at the position. The unusual pairing of two varsity basketball players starting at end drew considerable attention before the season began.

Ellington rewarded that confidence with an outstanding football season. He became a regular contributor on the 1936 Wildcats and appeared prominently in numerous game stories and previews. His signature moment came on Thanksgiving Day 1936 when Kentucky defeated Tennessee 27-0 for its first victory over the Volunteers in a decade. During the second quarter, Bert Johnson swept around end before pitching the ball to Ellington, who raced the remaining yards for a touchdown to give Kentucky a commanding lead. The scoring play helped secure one of the Wildcats’ most memorable victories of the era. Following the season, Ellington received a varsity football letter along with the other members of Kentucky’s 1936 squad.

Although elected captain of the basketball team, Ellington never had the opportunity to lead the Wildcats on the court. Before practice opened in the fall of 1936, the Lexington Herald-Leader listed him on Kentucky’s injured list. Then, on December 2, 1936, the newspaper reported that “‘Duke’ Ellington” had not reported for practice for some time and that Coach Adolph Rupp believed he had dropped off the squad, although neither Ellington nor Rupp had made a formal announcement. No contemporary newspaper has been found explaining why Ellington left the team, leaving one of the few unanswered questions of his Kentucky career. Despite his absence during his senior basketball season, his election as captain remains a lasting tribute to the respect he commanded among his teammates.

Ellington remained at the University of Kentucky and completed his studies. In June 1937 he was listed among the candidates for graduation, and later newspaper accounts confirmed that he received his Bachelor of Arts degree that year. During the summer of 1937 he worked as a playground instructor in Lexington while pursuing graduate study. On November 25, 1937, he married Mary Louise Bradley, daughter of Margaret Bradley of Dayton, Ohio, and George W. Bradley of Lexington. Mary Louise was also a University of Kentucky graduate, earning an A.B. degree in 1935 and an M.A. degree the following year.

Soon after graduation, Ellington returned to Louisville to become director of men’s athletics for the Louisville Recreation Division. Newspapers announcing his appointment described the former duPont Manual and Kentucky football and basketball star as an ideal choice to lead the city’s recreation program. His experience as a summer playground instructor while attending Kentucky prepared him for a career devoted to youth athletics and public recreation.

During World War II, Ellington served in the United States Navy. After the war he built a successful business career in Lexington, working as an automobile salesman for Glenn Buick and Fred Bryant Motors. He also operated Ellington House, an antiques business on Henry Clay Boulevard. Throughout his life he remained a devoted supporter of the University of Kentucky, maintaining his membership in the K Men’s Club and following Wildcat athletics long after his playing days had ended.

Russell F. “Duke” Ellington died on April 24, 1986, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Lexington after a long illness. He was 73. Former Henry Clay High School basketball coach Elmer Gilb remembered him as “a fine, fine athlete,” observing that basketball was probably his strongest sport. Ellington was survived by his wife, Kathryn “Katie” Hockensmith Ellington.

Although his Kentucky basketball career ended unexpectedly before his senior season, Ellington’s legacy extends well beyond his statistics. He was one of the University’s notable dual-sport athletes of the 1930s, a football letterman, basketball captain-elect, respected teammate and lifelong ambassador for Kentucky athletics.