Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Traces Roots to SUNY Cobleskill Lacrosse Alumnus

COBLESKILL – The SUNY Cobleskill Athletics Department is proud to share that the 2025 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree has special ties to the Fighting Tigers community, coming from the family of former men’s lacrosse student-athlete and SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech alumnus Dan Russ ’09.

The towering Norway Spruce, which stood for generations on family property in East Greenbush, was planted approximately 75 years ago by Dan’s great-great grandparents and became a meaningful part of the Russ and Doran family history. Over the years, the tree grew into a symbol of family tradition, community pride, and holiday memories for Dan and Judy Russ, and Dan often believed it had the size, presence, and beauty to one day make its way to New York City and stand in Rockefeller Center as part of the Christmas season.

Dan passed away in 2020, but his long-held belief in the tree lived on. This year, that vision became reality as the tree he once admired on his family’s property was selected to serve as the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, viewed and celebrated by millions around the world during the holiday season.

After being selected earlier this year, the tree was carefully prepared and transported to New York City, where it now stands as the centerpiece of the annual Rockefeller Center holiday celebration. Its journey from a family property in upstate New York to the heart of Manhattan represents a full-circle moment for a tree that had been cherished by multiple generations.

Dan, a former member of the SUNY Cobleskill men’s lacrosse program, formed lasting friendships during his time as a Fighting Tiger and remained extremely proud of his connection to the college and the lacrosse program. His family continues to honor his legacy through the values of community, tradition, and pride that defined both his time at Cobleskill Ag & Tech and the story behind the tree.

SUNY Cobleskill Athletics is honored to recognize this unique and heartfelt connection between a cherished holiday tradition and one of its alumni families, celebrating a story rooted in legacy, remembrance, and the enduring bonds of family and community.