Olsen’s gift marks a significant milestone for RMU Athletics, particularly for the NCAA Division I men's and women’s basketball team.

The Olsen Basketball Excellence Fund will enhance various facets of the basketball programs, including special projects, nutrition, recovery tools, equipment and technology, facility enhancements, team travel, and recruiting efforts. This fund is a testament to the ongoing commitment of RMU alumni to support and elevate the university's athletic programs.

In conjunction with this gift, RMU Athletics is challenging its donors to match Olsen’s generosity by donating to the Olsen Basketball Excellence fund or the athletics fund of their choice with a goal of raising an additional $1,000,000 for RMU Athletics. This initiative aims to double the impact of donations and further support the athletics department and its sport programs.

Vice President and Director of Athletics, Chris King, expressed his deep gratitude, stating, “We are profoundly thankful to Russ Olsen for his incredible generosity and vision. His commitment sets a precedent for others to follow. This matching challenge not only amplifies the impact of each contribution but also empowers our administration and coaches to make strategic decisions that enhance our student-athletes’ experiences and the future of our athletics department. The support we receive today is pivotal for sustaining competitive excellence and will continue to benefit RMU for many years.”

Pat Gallagher Head Men's Basketball Coach, Andy Toole, also shared his appreciation, “Russ Olsen’s support is nothing short of transformative for our program. His continued support allows us to invest in critical areas that directly benefit our athletes and enhances our ability to compete at the highest levels. We are incredibly grateful for Russ’s support and are excited about the future of RMU basketball.”

Russ Olsen graduated from Robert Morris in 1982 with a degree in Management and has over 41 years of experience in executive management, sales, and marketing. He gained much of his executive management experience while holding senior positions in marketing, business development, and sales for Fortune 500 companies.

Russ concluded his successful career in healthcare as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Triad Life Sciences Inc., which pioneered a novel, groundbreaking technology platform to help patients recover from debilitating, traumatic wound conditions so that they can live a more complete and full life.

For more information on the matching challenge or to make a donation to the Olsen Men’s Basketball Excellence Fund, please visit https://www.rmu.edu/alumni-giving/giving/athletics or contact TJ Brown, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development, at 412-397-5960 or brownt@rmu.edu.

For more details or to schedule an interview, please contact Brian Edwards, Chief Brand Officer, at 412-897-0331 or edwardsb@rmu.edu.