Walter (Coach “D”) Dlugolecki is being posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame for his long career with the Rensselaer City School District, his dedication to his students and athletes and his community service.
Walt graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School in Amsterdam, NY in 1955, immediately enrolling in Ithaca College, from which he graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science. His first, and only full-time job was with Van Rensselaer and Rensselaer Junior-Senior High Schools. His career spanned 32 years. While on faculty, he taught Physical Education and coached Boys’ basketball, volleyball and football. One of the highlights of his career was the creation of the Driver Education program. Walt was an outstanding member of the Rensselaer community. He worked at the Rensselaer Community Center when he retired in 1991 until it closed. He was especially proud of his founding role in the Rensselaer Pop Warner youth football program. His community service also included volunteering at Concern's U. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Hill Hook and Ladder Fire Company. Walt was an active communicant in St. Joseph’s/St. John’s Church, serving on the Bereavement Committee with his widow, Mary. Mary and Walt lived in Rensselaer. They raised four children (David, Kelly, Donna and Dianne) who gave them six grandchildren, and one great grandchild. “Coach D’s” colleague, Bill McCarthy, a 2014 Hall of Fame Inductee, nominated Walt as an outstanding member of the Rensselaer community for his contributions and achievements which continue to have positive impact. And in Bill’s words “as a colleague, friend, teacher and coach, he enabled character and commitment.”