Cleveland Darter Club Celebrates Danny Russano’s CDC Tour Card

Congratulations to Danny Russano on earning his Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) Tour Card on December 14th. Only tour card holders are eligible to compete on the CDC Main Tour, making this a significant milestone in any player’s darts career. (For more detailed information about the CDC Main Tour, please see the section at the end of this article.) Danny becomes the second member of the Cleveland Darter Club to earn this prestigious honor, following his good friend Kevin Yasenchak. I was able to reach out to Danny to get his thoughts on the experience.

Q: Congratulations, I know you have worked hard to get this opportunity. Before I begin with questions about the Q-School event can you tell me a little about on how darts came into your life?

Danny: I was originally from Mastic Beach, Long Island. My dad started bringing me to tournaments with him, so I started playing youth darts. My first tournament was in 2001 when I was ten I played in the Youth Nationals Championship in 2005 and 2007. We used to go to Syracuse and Youngstown tournaments on winter breaks from school. So, we kind of had a friend base out here before we moved. I won the Youngstown youth singles three years in a row before we even moved here. We moved to the Cleveland area in 2007. So, I have been playing for roughly twenty-five years.

Q:  Speaking of Syracuse, I was with you a few years ago when you were, I believe one win away from winning a tour card there and saw first hand the disappointment you felt that night. What did it mean to you, to earn the achievement you have been working towards?

Danny: It was what I felt like I needed to do next! It was important to check that off and see how I stack up. 

Q: You had just under a 80 average in your first match and had two 14 dart legs in your first two matches, which included a 180. How would you describe your mindset going into the final match?

Danny: I was thinking, “Just one more.”

Q: Was there a key moment where you felt the tournament turned in your favor?

Danny: The first match, honestly. I was warming up really bad but averaged around 80 in my first match. Then I thought if I keep that going I should be good.  

Q: What part of your game felt the strongest throughout the event?

Danny: Definitely my scoring. 

Q:  Did you make any adjustments during the tournament that helped you secure the win?

Danny: Not really… maybe just took an extra second on the big doubles.

Q: How did you prepare differently for this event compared to others?

Danny: I  really didn’t. Just lots of practicing trip 20s and 121. 

Q:  Who has been most influential in helping you reach this level of play?

Danny: Probably Kevin. Trying to keep up with him. 

Q:  What motivated you to keep pushing through tough matches until the end?

Danny: I wanted my card. 

Q: What does earning a CDC Tour Card mean for your dart career moving forward?

Danny: Changes the schedule for next year. I plan to go to as many CDC events that I can and possibly skipping some other tournaments. 

Q: Which Main Tour event are you most excited to compete in now?

Danny: All of them. 

Q: What goals have you set for yourself for the upcoming season?

Danny: Ruin peoples' weekends.

Q: Any last thoughts?

Danny: I want to sincerely thank my fiancée, Jenn Malek; my sponsors, Galaxy Apparel, Dart Brokers, Rookies Sports Bar and Grill; my dad, Chris Russano; the many friends and family whose support helped get me to this point.

Thank you Danny for your time and good luck next year on the Main Tour.

-Gretchen Weidus

The Championship Darts Circuit is North America’s professional darts tour and provides the highest level of competition on the continent. With 16 long-format 501 tournaments over six weekends, the Tour features a mix of darting legends, today’s top stars and tomorrow’s champions showcasing the passion and competition that makes darts the thrilling sport it is.

In addition to a prize fund of over $210,000, the CDC Tour also provides North America’s path to playing alongside the best players in the world through our partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation.

The top US and Canadian player on the CDC Tour Points List at the conclusion of all Main Tour events earns a berth in the World Darts Championship in London at the Alexandra Palace in December! Additionally, the CDC Two-Year Order of Merit will be used to fill any spots that may be available on the US and Canadian teams at the PDC World Cup of Darts. (World Cup spots are available to fill when there are fewer than two PDC Tour Card Holders from the US or Canada). The CDC Continental Cup Champion receives a spot in the annual US Darts Masters and North American Darts Championship.

The opportunities provided by CDC are endless and the sky is truly the limit! (https://champdarts.com/main-tour/)