Fairhaven High School Alumni Association, Fairhaven, Massachusetts 02719

Wayne Wilson Basketball Court Dedicated

On Sunday morning, June 26, 2011 the basketball court in the Bart Leach Gymnasium at Fairhaven High School was named in honor of retired Boys’ Basketball Coach Wayne Wilson who coached the Blue Devils from 1963-80.  (Photo courtesy of Jim Mahaney ‘68)

A crowd of several hundred people that included former players, assistant coaches, colleagues, family and friends crowded into the Bart Leach Gymnasium at Fairhaven High School to honor Coach Wayne Wilson as the “Wayne Wilson Court” was unveiled by Fairhaven Public Schools Superintendent Bob Baldwin ‘80 and Police Chief Michael Myers, who nominated Coach Wilson for this honor.  Many members of Coach Wilson’s family shared center stage with him, including his wife Joyce and their three children: Kyle, Leigh and Lynn as well as several of their grandchildren.  Coach Wilson was obviously very moved by the ceremony and being reunited with so many of his former players and assistant coaches. Twenty-four former players were present, including Lester Smith ‘68 who traveled from Colorado Springs, Colorado just to be present for the event, and former Assistant Coach Dick Arieta was a big hit with his former players.  Coach Wilson’s very first Varisty Basketball Team was well represented by the presence of Sonny Avila ‘64, Tom “Nopper” Cabral ‘64, Jim Madruga ‘63, Steve Bouley ‘64 and John Battaini ‘63.  Just about every team that Coach Wilson coached was represented at the event.  The Wilsons now reside in Port Charlotte, Forida.