RUSSELL ATHLETIC HISTORY
AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY IN ALABAMA, COTTON WAS KING, BUT FOOTBALL WAS A CLOSE SECOND. FOR BENJAMIN RUSSELL, GROWING UP IN ALEXANDER CITY, ALABAMA WAS TOUGH. AFTER A FIRE IN 1902 THAT DESTROYED MOST OF ALEX CITY, RUSSELL RALLIED TO BUILD A HOSPITAL, HOTEL, LAUNDRY, GROCERY STORE, BAKERY, AND TELEPHONE OPERATION. THE TOWN HELPED SHAPE THE BRAND’S LEGACY AND COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY, SPORTS, AND OVERCOMING ADVERSITY. RUSSELL ATHLETIC WAS BORN ON THE PLAYING FIELDS OF AMERICA. TODAY, RUSSELL ATHLETIC EMBODIES BENJAMIN RUSSELL’S SPIRIT BY WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES AND SUPPORTING TEAMS, WHETHER THAT TEAM BE AT HOME, SCHOOL, OR WORK. WE DELIVER INCREDIBLE VALUE TO OUR CONSUMERS BY MAKING QUALITY ATHLETIC APPAREL WITH TECHNICAL FEATURES AND BENEFITS FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE. Scroll Down
On March 3, 1902, Russell Athletic was founded by 26-year-old Benjamin Russell as the Russell Manufacturing Company in Alexander City, AL. The tiny factory had 10 sewing machines and 8 knitting machines. Russell Manufacturing Company’s first garment was a women and children’s knit shirt. Benjamin Russell’s passion for sports and his entrepreneurial spirit fueled civic pride creating jobs for his community, while later making uniforms for teams and apparel for athletes throughout the United States.
In 1926, Founder Ben Russell’s son, Benny, came to his dad with a new idea for an all-cotton practice football jersey replacing the itchy, chafing wool uniforms worn at that time. Knowing the comfort and durability of cotton, the iconic crew neck sweatshirt began production in the Russell Athletic mills in 1930.
Russell went on to acquire Southern Manufacturing Company, which gave the company access to athletic team apparel. This was the beginning of the Russell Athletic division’s cutting and sewing operations. Russell began making woven athletic garments, including basketball, baseball and football pants and jackets for teams across the United States.
Benjamin Russell died on December 16, 1941 passing the company’s torch to his son Benjamin C. Russell.
During World War II, Russell’s athletic division primarily supplied the U.S. military with shirts, men's underwear, T-shirts, athletic wear and special outer garments specifically made for the Army and Navy.
In 1945, Benjamin C. Russell passed away succeeded by his brother Thomas D. Russell.
By the 1960s, Russell Manufacturing Company's athletic division had become the largest manufacturer of sports apparel and uniforms in the United States. In 1962, Russell Manufacturing Company changed its name to Russell Mills, Inc. and began using the American Eagle to represent its iconic brand image.
Russell Mills, Inc. name was changed to Russell Corporation and expanded manufacturing across Southern USA as well as to Latin America and across the Atlantic to Scotland.
Russell Athletic is ranked 5th amongst apparel companies by Fortune Magazine in total return to investors over the 10-year period 1986 – 1996.
Fruit of the Loom acquires Russell Corp., now Russell Brands, LLC.
Russell Athletic launches the “Together We R” campaign to unite all athletes under the spirit of teamwork.
Russell Athletic launches “Fight Like Dylan” award contest honoring the life of Dylan Rebeor, a terminally ill player whose last wish was for new equipment for his teammates. Since 2012, Russell Athletic has awarded a $50,000 grant to one high school that has demonstrated perseverance through sports.
Russell Athletic launches the “Team On” campaign defending high school team sports in America.
In May 2002, Russell celebrated its 100th anniversary. While the brand has evolved from its early origins in Alexander City, Alabama, we take pride in our heritage. As a brand entrenched in sports history, Russell Athletic has a focus on innovation, versatility, and quality.
