Russ Smith is best-known for his 47-year career at the Waterloo Courier, including 34 years as the newspaper’s sports editor. He began work for the Courier in 1942, and in 1974 he authored a book on Dan Gable called “The Legend of Dan Gable: The Wrestler.” As sports editor Smith gave wrestling top billing, providing it front page sports coverage. He also served as the longtime moderator for the local “Sports of Sorts Club,” featuring national and local sports figures.

Russ Smith's contribution to wrestling was through his 47-year career at the Waterloo Courier, including 34 years as the newspaper's sports editor.

As sports editor, he gave wrestling top billing and provided coverage on the front page of the sports section.

A lifelong Waterloo resident, Smith began his career at The Orange and Black, the East High School newspaper.

Smith authored The Legend of Dan Gable: The Wrestler, and served as the longtime moderator for the local Sports of Sorts Club that featured local and national sports figures.

He attended 36 Iowa state high school wrestling tournaments and 30 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Smith also covered the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, the 1972 Munich Olympics, and the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Smith was the first recipient of the Bob Dellinger Award, presented annually to the wrestling writer of the year by Amateur Wrestling News, in 1963.

He was a pioneer in the creation of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame. Smith helped in organizing the foundation, and was chairman of the selection committee from day one.

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum annually presents the Russ Smith Community Impact Award to to individuals who demonstrate exceptional local impact on wrestling in Iowa. Smith was the inaugural recipient in 2010.