Robert Duley inducted into School District of Westfield’s Wall of Fame
Robert Duley, a former head coach of track and cross country and adjunct professor in educational studies at Ripon College, has been inducted into the Wall of Fame of the School District of Westfield (Wisconsin).
Prior to coming to Ripon College, Duley taught social studies at Westfield High School for 31 years. The Westfield “Wall of Fame” awards teachers on their educational achievements and their impact on students. In addition to his teaching, he started the Advanced Placement program at Westfield High School.
Duley also was an inspirational and successful coach for 54 years. For 25 years, he was the Westfield Varsity boys’ basketball coach, winning three conference titles; and high school track coach, with 21 of those years as the head coach. His track teams won 10 conference titles and he coached many state qualifiers.
He was inducted into the Ripon College Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Westfield Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
His passion for coaching continues as he currently serves as an assistant boys’ basketball coach in Westfield and assistant track coach at St. Norbert College in De Pere.
Duley received his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida and later received Master of Arts degree in educational leadership and teacher development from Marian University. He started his teaching career with three years as a social studies teacher, head boys basketball coach, and track coach at Wrightstown (Wisconsin) High School.
“I’ve received numerous coaching awards throughout my career,” Duley says, “but I always considered myself a teacher first. This award (from Westfield) recognizes my contributions both during and after my teaching career at Westfield Area High School.”
He says that as an educator, it was important to “make a difference in the lives of my students in a way that went beyond teaching the subject matter — trying to get each student to think positively about themselves when they walked out of my classroom.
“Education is the great equalizer. An education allows a student to overcome adversity that they may have faced due to circumstances that were beyond their control. I’ve learned so much from my students, fellow faculty members and staff — mostly the more that you give, the more that you get in return.”
Mia Bekish ’25
Sherwood, Wisconsin
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