Born in Vancouver, BC in 1959 with his family immigrating to the United States shortly thereafter, Darcy was an unlikely candidate to be in the position he is in today. Growing up in Mount Vernon, WA as the middle child of Doug and Ina Weisner’s three sons, Darcy learned to compete at a young age. The absence of constructive activities available during his youth led a young Weisner to turn to athletics as a positive application of himself. The role athletics and
basketball played in Darcy’s childhood resulted in his lifelong commitment as an adult to better the lives of youth through education, mentorship, and the game of basketball. He is the first member of his family to obtain a college degree and the only family member to pursue a life of education and sport.
Darcy has spent the last 34 years of his career involved in public education, with 21 of them as a WIAA head basketball coach. His leadership, the positive values he imparted on his players, and his commitment to the communities he continues to serve, exemplify the values the WIBCA Hall of Fame seeks to promote.
Darcy began his athletic career at Mount Vernon High School. In high school he participated in basketball, football, and track, playing basketball for legendary Mount Vernon Coach Dave Quall, who would continue to be a lifelong mentor and friend. He continued his career at Western Washington University where he currently remains the last student-athlete to letter in three varsity sports (Football, Basketball, and Track). At WWU, Darcy met his future wife, Holly. The couple has been married 35 years and counting, and are the proud parents of seven adult children and six (soon to be seven) grandchildren. After graduating from WWU, Darcy continued his basketball career overseas in the People’s Republic of China representing the United States in a basketball ambassadorship program.
Following his career as a player, he transitioned into coaching. His first job was as head coach at Brewster High School (Brewster, WA) in 1982, a team he would lead to back-to-back WIAA State B Championships in 1984 and 1985. The 1985 State B Championship in Spokane, WA was a memorable, barn-burning finish against Ritzville High School. As head coach, Darcy led Brewster to three straight appearances at the State B Tournament. His coaching career continued at W.F West High School (Chehalis, WA) and at Burlington-Edison High School (Burlington, WA), where he would lead teams to playoff appearances in three of the next seven seasons.
In 1992, Darcy was hired as Social Studies teacher and head basketball coach at Shadle Park High School (Spokane, WA). At Shadle, Darcy’s teams would consistently be ranked among the top in the state at both the 3A and 4A levels, the 2000-01 season culminating with a 3rd place finish at the WIAA State 4A Championships, a team on which his son Brett was a player. Darcy was a respected educator, coach, and mentor. He forged several lasting relationships with students, players, and members of the community in his 11 years at Shadle.
After the 2002 season, Darcy retired from high school coaching and began focusing on his career as a high school and school district administrator. His fi rst role was as an Assistant Principal at Rogers High School (Spokane, WA) where Darcy spent three years. He then took on the role of Principal at Walla Walla High School (Walla Walla, WA) before becoming Superintendent of the Clarkston Public School District. Darcy was then hired as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Service District 123, being promoted to Superintendent 2016. In his current role, he provides cooperative and informational services to school districts throughout Southeast Washington. He holds a Master’s Degree in Education.
Since retiring from high school coaching, Darcy has continued to be an integral part of the development and progression of basketball talent in Washington State. His involvement in the scouting and formation of elite men’s and women’s AAU basketball clubs, AAU regional and national tournaments, camps, and clinics, have all allowed Darcy’s impact on his players, their families, and basketball, to transcend his tenure as an educator-coach.
Darcy is blessed to have a large and supportive family. His wife Holly attended almost every game he coached during his career. Darcy and Holly continue to travel extensively in support of their children’s careers and families. Every one of his seven children had the chance to play for their father at some point. His oldest son Brett, who played for Darcy at Shadle, went on to play basketball at Eastern Washington and Western Washington universities; his daughter Erika was a member of the Big East Champion Syracuse University Rowing team; his son David played football at Central Washington University; his son Michael played basketball at the University of Montana; his daughter Jamie played basketball at Oregon State University and currently plays for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA; finally, his two sons Rondell and Shawn were standout high school athletes in track and wrestling respectively. His six grandchildren will no doubt have a lot of “expert” advice on sports and life from their aunts and uncles. Advice all Darcy’s children can attribute to learning from their dad.
Darcy currently lives in Richland, WA with his wife Holly.
