Wayne Stapleford is known by everyone as an "organizer". His ability to organize is reflected in the accomplishments he has attained and the respect he receives.

Wayne began his 17-year coaching career in 1967 at Milwaukee Francis Jordan. He then moved on to Delafield St. John's, Lakeland High School in Minocqua, and then to Wisconsin Dells where he resigned coaching in 1984. His career record is 186-59-4. Wayne's teams have won seven conference, six regional, one sectional and 20 invitational championships. His 1980, '81, '82 and '83 teams placed fourth, third, fifth and second respectively in the state tournament. Wayne has coached four high school All-Americans, 32 conference, 47 regional, and 14 sectional champions. He has coached 22 state place winners and nine state champions.

Wayne committed himself to wrestling year round. His involvement in freestyle and greco kept him busy. To promote wrestling, Wayne organized and worked several tournaments. Also, he has worked wrestling camps each summer. Wayne has used his organizational skills to host and coach cultural exchange meets with Finland - 1974, 1977; Great Britain - 1976; South Dakota - 1977, West Germany - 1978; Canada - 1983; Cincinnati - 1983. Wayne was assistant coach for the National AAU/USA Elite team to Colorado Springs in 1980 and the Schoolboy team to California in 1982. He coached the Wisconsin team to the USWF Junior Nationals in 1980 (Greco Roman) and 1981 (Freestyle).

Wayne has served in various capacities in several organizations. He was on the WIAA Rules Advisory committee (1977-1979) and co-chairman WWCA fall coaches clinic (1983, 1984). Wayne held the following state positions: AAU Wrestling Board of Control (1976-84), AAU Junior Olympic chairman (1978-84), USWF board of control (1974-78), and USWF Vice President (1977) and President (1978). Also, he held the following national positions; AAU Coaches committee (1979-84), AAU Junior Olympic Advisory committee (1979-82), and AAU Olympic 200 Project (1979-82). Wayne was Region VII AAU Junior Olympic Director (1983, 84) and is currently a member of the Wisconsin Weigh in Club Board of Control.

Wayne then went to Wisconsin Dells and taught History in the Wisconsin Dells School District.

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