Inside Redwoods Athletics
Sept 2025
Russell Pascascio clears the bar with quiet focus and steady discipline. A high jumper for the College of the Redwoods track and field team, Russell has built his success on a simple philosophy: compete with yourself first, and the rest will follow.
Raised in Rio Dell, Russell attended school there before attending Fortuna High School. But his path into track and field began in sixth grade, thanks to a little encouragement from friends. At the time, Russell was focused on basketball and baseball. One friend convinced him to try out for track, and something immediately clicked.
For Kai Purcell, Humboldt isn’t just where he grew up. It’s a big part of who he is.
Born at Mad River Hospital in Arcata and raised in a community where the forest meets the ocean, Kai came of age in the tight-knit world of local gyms, school rivalries, and long drives up and down Highway 101. He attended Pacific Union Elementary, Sunny Brae Middle School, and Arcata High, where he eventually narrowed his athletic focus to the sport that would shape much of his young adulthood: basketball.
And each morning, Kai passes through security at the Rayburn House Office Building, and steps into one of the most powerful workplaces in the country. But before Washington, D.C., before Capitol Hill, Kai was simply a Humboldt kid chasing a dream in the College of the Redwoods gymnasium.
Aaden McCullum comes to us from Chapparal High School in Ft. Hood, Texas! He has signed for the 2026 season! Welcome to the CR Family, Aaden!
Timothy Kennedy comes to us from Kapolei High School in Kapolei, Hawaii! He has signed for the 2026 season! Welcome to the CR Family, Timothy!
Sahara Moefiti Tupua (standing second from left in the gray sweatshirt) comes to us from St. Bernard's Academy! She has signed for the 2026 season. Welcome to the CR Family, Sahara!
Alexa Ferreyra comes to us from Point Arena High School! She has signed for the 2026 season! Welcome the CR Family, Alexa!
Welcome to the St. Patrick’s Day edition of the blog!
As green is the “color of truth,” I’m going to be honest and admit that, as a former men’s basketball coach, this is my favorite time of year—March Madness! As the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments begin, it feels like Christmas morning every day.
I was down at the California Junior College Men’s and Women’s State Finals in Visalia last weekend and got to talking with many coaches. As we enjoyed the highest level of competition our state has to offer, the conversations often veered into just how incredibly dynamic the job of coaching is in the current landscape of intercollegiate athletics.
Consider this: after a grueling 5–7 month season of leading young adults through countless competitions, practices, study halls, grade checks, meetings, and team meals—and after scouting dozens of opponents and crafting thoughtfully tailored game plans—all while traveling and being on the road more than any other community college in California…all those late-night trips through the snow on Highway 299…once the season is over, and your adrenals are blown out, your immune system is compromised, and your lack of sleep is catching up with you—at the time of year when you are most exhausted—that is exactly when two of the most important elements of the job occur:
1.) You must find scholarships and placement opportunities for your sophomores.
2.) You must recruit your new team of freshmen for the following season.
At the same time. When you’re the most tired.
What other profession is like that?
And this is precisely the type of dynamic resiliency that we model for our student-athletes, with the hope that they grow into exhibiting a similar type of perseverance throughout their college experience.
And speaking of resiliency, I will continue to be a firm believer that college athletics is the optimal vehicle for student-athletes taking the on-ramp into adulthood. The reason I believe this is largely due to the incredible commitment of our coaches. It cannot be overstated how much of an impact our coaches have on the physical, educational, and emotional development of our student-athletes. Our coaches serve as instructors, therapists, parents, nutritionists, friends, mentors, disciplinarians, and counselors. The bond formed between players and coaches under our guidance is truly unique, given the amount of time—and geography—they cover together. Our coaches are deep in the trenches with our kids, and our kids benefit greatly because of that.
I want to give the biggest shoutout to all our coaches and support staff here in athletics. It is an inspiration to come to work every day and see the student-centered approach they take in serving our athletes.
Roll Call: Juan Perez, Macy Thomas, Bree Northern, John Downey, Pedro Cortez-Garcia, Nate Kees, Brandon Benvenuti, Justin Claus, Micaela Harris, Michele Scheider, Jason White, Reed Elmore, Gianna O’Day, Kelly O’Day, Andrew Aiello, Rebecca Gwin, Kyle Van Dyke, Tia Graham, Joe O’Keefe, Damaro Wheeler, D.J. Snowton, Zac Claus, Emily Gardner, Garrett Hall, Rachel Evans, Chad Ferro, Brian Barreto, Konrad Kisch, Julian Carrillo, Marcus Coleman, Katharine Eilers, Maurice Purify, Kenzie Benvenuti, Fernando Garcia, Andrew Haraldson, Tyler Haskill, Eric Helms, James Holland, Dan Joyner, Lilly LaRue, Chris Lee, Benn Rieder, Miles Maynell, Eric Wright, and Parker Rodgers.
Best,
Ryan
I retired as Eureka’s Chief of Police four years ago after nearly 25 years of full-time law enforcement service. I’m also a veteran, having served three years in the U.S. Army, both on active duty and in the Reserve. Today, I teach part-time as an instructor for the College of the Redwoods Basic Law Enforcement Academy, which continues to give me a strong sense of purpose and connection to the noble profession of policing.
In retirement, I completed a Master of Science in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership through the University of San Diego. I’m also a proud College of the Redwoods alumnus, as is my oldest son, Riley, who earned his A.A. degree in Liberal Arts: Humanities & Communications (2022). My parents, Mark and Jeanne, also graduated from CR, making the college part of a three-generation family legacy.
My amazing wife, Sarah, and I live outside Fortuna, where I was born and raised, and we’re the proud parents of five wonderful children—four boys and one girl, ages 13 to 25. Our small farm keeps life interesting with two rambunctious dogs, a wayward cat, one sassy horse, and several pesky goats and sheep.
My daughter, Allie, who competes in high school wrestling and rodeo, reignited my passion for photography. I now specialize in live-action sports and event photography.
For me, photography has always been about more than still images—it’s about preserving real moments, raw emotion, and compelling stories that exist for only an instant. I’m especially drawn to the intensity, focus, joy, struggle, and authenticity found in sports and other meaningful experiences. These fleeting moments deserve to be remembered.
It has been a true privilege over the past six-plus months to help capture and preserve the accomplishments of Redwoods athletes through the lens of my camera, transforming these memories into lasting legacies.
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