Coach Dalesky, a graduate of Puyallup High School where he enjoyed a successful basketball career and received Honorable Mention All State in 1956, went on to Central Washington State College where he played basketball and tennis. It was Wayne’s love of basketball that led him to his first coaching assignment as varsity coach at Baker Junior High School in Tacoma, Washington in 1960. He remained at
Baker for five years accumulating a record of 41 wins and 20 losses. In 1965 Wayne went from Baker to Lincoln High School in Tacoma as Junior Varsity Coach under Ron Billings. His record was 120 wins and 23 losses. He remained at Lincoln until 1973 when he applied for and was named the basketball Varsity Coach at the newly opened Henry Foss High School.
While at Henry Foss, and with the dedication and loyal support of his Junior Varsity Coach Ken Hotsko, he accumulated a record of 352 wins and 172 losses. During his 22 years as head coach he met many wonderful players, some who still keep in touch. Again, it was his love for the game and diverse group of kids he coached that created a strong challenge for him that actually helped him attain 10 Narrows/City League Championships, and appear in the State playoffs 8 times, placing 6 times.
Additionally, Wayne was named co-coach of the year in the Narrow’s League for 1995-96.
Coach Dalesky contributes much of his success to Dean Nicholsen and his philosophy of coaching and considers him to be one of the best basketball coaches of all time in the State of Washington.
Wayne also attributes much of his success to his family who have been supportive of him thru both the good and sometimes difficult situations. He and his wife Lana have 5 children and five grandchildren.
