Hall of Fame
Russ Michna, 2013 - Michna ended his career as a two-time Gateway Conference ‘Offensive Player of the Year’, one of the few players to win the award multiple times, let alone in consecutive years. During his four-year career, the Leathernecks made three NCAA Division I playoff appearances. In 2002 and 2003, Western won its opening round game but eventually fell in the quarterfinals.
Michna twice earned First Team Academic All-Gateway Conference honors, and was named Academic All-Conference three years (one of nine Leathernecks all-time to receive the academic distinction three times).
A First Team All-American in 2003, Michna still ranks in 13 season and career ‘Top 10’ listings. He owns the eighth (382- at Northern Illinois) and two at ninth spot (375- at Montana, vs. Southern Illinois) of single-game passing yards. Twice he threw five touchdowns in a game (at SIU in 2002, vs. Tennessee-Martin in 2003).
Michna’s 3,160 passing yards in the 2003 season still ranks second-most in program history, and he also stands fourth with 3,037 yards the year prior. During his junior year he posted a 154.5 passer rating, good for fourth on the season list, while his 139.6 mark as a senior currently ranks him seventh. He also ranks third (23 in 2002) and tied for fifth (21 in 2003) in season touchdown passes.
Following that 2003 season, Michna concluded his career with 6,434 passing yards (fourth all-time) and 44 touchdowns (third).
Continuing his playing career, Michna has played in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, United Football League, and currently with the Arena Football League.
He recently completed his first year with the San Jose Sabercats of the AFL, leading them back to the playoffs. Michna was voted team captain this year as he threw for 68 touchdowns to only eight interceptions in 13 games and rushed for four more TDs. From 2007-12 he was one of the main offensive weapons for the Chicago Rush, playing in 64 games. During that span he threw for 336 touchdowns and rushed for another 28 TDs.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Finance in 2002 and master’s in Business Administration in 2004, both from Western. For the last five years he’s worked as the manager of sales and finance for The Higher Gear Group, LLC. Russ and his wife Kristin reside in Elk Grove, Illinois.
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