Russ and Jo Ann Cesari have been loyal supporters of the Physical Mission and the Fund for Athletic Excellence. High school sweethearts from Kulpmont, Pa., the couple has long valued service, education, and athletics.
Russ, a football student-athlete at Alfred University and a graduate of the Class of 1967, was drafted to serve during the Vietnam War. Although he had no interest in changing his newly-wed life and corporate career, he remained in the United States Army for four years following his draft. His time in Vietnam gave him a greater perspective on how people around the world live. After completing his military service, Russ went on to build a successful 30-year career with IBM. During that time, Russ and Jo Ann re-located 17 times, eventually living in Maryland, where their three children, Beth, U of Delaware '94, Jill, USNA '96 and Glen, USNA '98 attended Montgomery County public schools. A love of water eventually led them to Annapolis, allowing them to be closer to both the Chesapeake Bay and the Naval Academy.
Although Russ and Jo Ann are not Naval Academy graduates, two of their children attended the Academy. Residing for 4 years in New England, As the IBM manager in Maine, Russ supported IBM's Community Engagement efforts for Portland's celebration of its 350th birthday festivities. With this, the family was invited aboard the Coast Guard Tall Ship, USS Eagle, while she was in Portland Harbor. Jill was a rising second grader, so impressed that the vessel was part of the Coast Guard Academy's college experience and especially that some of the cadets aboard were girls. She immediately wrote a letter to the Coast Guard Academy asking what she needed to do to be considered for admission. Given her grade school status, the Academy kindly responded: "Looking forward to your application in 1991."
After the Cesaris moved from Portland to Potomac, Maryland, Jill's fourth-grade class took a field trip to the Naval Academy. That visit changed everything. From that day forward, she was determined to attend USNA. At the Academy, Jill competed as a varsity athlete on the Cross-Country and Track & Field teams. Following graduation, she was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer. Jill went on to serve in the Navy for 30 years to include being the Executive Officer and then Captain of the USS Shoup (at that time, the longest deployed US destroyer since World War II).
Glen followed in his sister's footsteps, initially committing to the US Air Force Academy as a Blue Chip soccer player; he changed course because of Jill's positive experience and the multiple career opportunities that Navy offered versus Air Force and Army. At Navy, Glen played club soccer and majored in oceanography. After graduation, he initially was a Surface Warfare Officer but soon was offered an opportunity to attend the Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, California, earning double Masters degrees in oceanography and meteorology. While there, he was recruited to serve as an oceanographer and meteorologist for SEAL Team 2. From which retired in Norfolk, Virginia.
Early in their careers, Jill and Glen both had the opportunity to return to the Yard and to work and teach at USNA, creating a full-circle moment for Russ and Jo Ann. Reflecting on their children's time at the Academy, the couple expressed immense pride in their accomplishments. Russ noted that he appreciates how comprehensive the education at the Academy is. "With the rigor of the Academy, I'm so proud of them for their hard work, dedication and continued success as naval officers and their private sector careers."
Russ and Jo Ann have also been generous supporters of the Fund for Athletic Excellence. Given Russ's athletic background, he understands the important role sports play in personal growth and development. Athletics help build character, leadership, and resilience, while also contributing directly to the development of future Naval and Marine Corps officers. Russ and Jo Ann "value what the Academy does for the midshipmen in developing responsible adults. We are happy to be in the position to support the physical mission because the more we can support that model, the better we are as a country.
Recognizing that the Academy supports 36 varsity programs, most of which are not revenue generating, the Cesaris understand the importance of donor support in providing midshipmen athletes with the resources they need to succeed. They firmly believe that "sports leave a positive impact on people which carries forward into every aspect of their lives."
Grateful for the opportunities the Academy offered their children, Russ and Jo Ann have also served as sponsor parents to 23 midshipmen over the years. Several were or are varsity athletes on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing and sailing teams. They are currently sponsors to seven midshipmen. "Our children had great experiences at USNA, which translated to successful military and civilian careers. and we want to help other midshipmen achieve that going forward."
