Dusty Wadlington '98-'00 Basketball

Dusty decided to attend Iowa Lakes because he really enjoyed his visit. He believed that he could succeed in both athletics and education at Iowa Lakes. 

Dusty was a standout player during his basketball career at Iowa Lakes. He was a two time All-Region selection and named 3rd Team NJCAA All-American. In his final season as a Laker, Dusty helped lead his team to the 2000 National Tournament. He is currently the season record holder with 370 assists and 133 steals and career record holder with 658 assists and 222 steals. Dusty is also 12th all time in scoring with 995 points and helped lead his team to 51 wins in two years. 

Dusty has always cherished his time at Iowa Lakes, in particular the pre-season workouts with the guys and beating Kirkwood in Cedar Rapids to advance to Nationals. 

While at Iowa Lakes, Dusty was impacted by numerous people. Some of them include: Sandy Naig and all of the other ladies he worked with in the Laker lunchroom, Doug Dingel, and Nancy Schendel. Dusty was also impacted by many members of the community, but in particular Daryl Madison because of the amazing pep talks before and after games on the bus rides. The most influential people for Dusty were his coaches, Coach Moe and Coach Brew, and teammates, Scott, Quincy, BG, Lynx, and Austin Colby.

Coach Moe had this to say about Dusty, “Dusty was and is a very unique individual.  The first time I saw him play as a senior at Cedar Rapids Washington High School, I knew I wanted to work with him and have him lead our team.  He brings a great amount of energy to everything he does with a type of spirit that lends to being a leader.  This can be leadership on the athletic field or in a social environment. He is simply someone that others want to follow.

Dusty fully embraced the spirit of competition and the overall challenge of being the best you can be and he did it while taking joy in the camaraderie of his teammates and successes during his two years as a Laker.  He was very good and he had a lot of fun doing it. He had a major impact on his teammates having that same experience. I never enjoyed coaching another individual as much as I enjoyed coaching Dusty Wadlington and the teams he played on.”

After graduating from Iowa Lakes with an Associate of Arts Degree, Dusty transferred to Division 2 Morningside College. He was a 1st Team All-NCC selection and NCC Newcomer of the year. He is also the record holder for assists and steals in a single season. Dusty then transferred to Division 1 Denver University. While at Denver, Dusty was the shortest starting point guard in Division 1 basketball. He helped lead his team to a 17-15 record and advanced to the Sunbelt conference semifinal game. He was the Sunbelt conference leader in assist to turnover ratio.

Dusty then had the opportunity to play two weeks with the former Colorado 14ers of the NBA Developmental League. He is currently teaching physical education and coaching basketball at KIPP Denver High School in Colorado.

Dusty would like to thank his wife, Kate, his mom, Karen, and the best sister in the world, Amy for attending the ceremony with him.

Congratulations Dusty on being named to the Iowa Lakes Hall of Fame.