By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Our “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding Portage County’s student-athletes.

Today, we get to know Garfield boys basketball and girls golf coach Andy Olesky. He has coached the G-Men basketball team for 11 seasons and the girls golf program for 8 years.

Q: What schools did you attend growing up?

A: Nolley Elementary, Manchester Middle School and Manchester High School (Class of 2001).

Q: College and graduation year?

A: University of Akron (Class of 2007). Degree in Middle Level Education (English/Language Arts and Social Studies).

Q: Current occupation?

A: Fifth grade social studies and reading teacher at James A. Garfield Elementary School.

Q: What inspired you to be a coach?
A: I kind of fell into coaching because previous coaches saw something in me. I immediately knew it was for me because it was a tremendous way to be a positive role model to young athletes, stay involved in the game and help provide all kinds of student-athletes memories and lessons that will hopefully last a lifetime.

Q: What makes being in Garrettsville special to you?
A: Without a doubt, the people of Garrettsville make it very special to me. This includes everyone from the great students and athletes, parents, community members, colleagues, administrators and everyone else that takes pride in calling Garrettsville and Garfield home. Some of my best friends to this day are the people I have met in Garrettsville.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence/mentor as a coach? Why?

A: Without a doubt, my biggest influence as a coach has always been my parents, Stanley and Joette Olesky. Their continuous support and lessons that have been taught to me since day one make me the person I am today. Professionally, I would have to say my high-school coach Gene Schindewolf and John Herchek are two wildly successful head coaches that brought me on as assistants, who showed me what it means to run a high-school program the right way. Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Scott Ross and AJ Hite, who have influenced me in many ways while always being helpful and supportive.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your playing days?
A: I don’t know if this classifies as funny or gross, but I used to get very heavy nose bleeds when I played basketball due to the dry winter weather. They got to be so heavy and so frequent that I often had to put medical packing up my nose to stop the bleeding just to re-enter the game. What most people don’t know is that this just made the blood accumulate in my mouth. I often would play several minutes holding blood in my mouth just so I could remain in the game. Trying to hide me spitting the blood into the trash can without a coach or referee being it was always a challenge.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your coaching career?

A: This is probably the hardest question to answer, but not many people know how loud I can whistle. I don’t use it often, but when I do, it can be very loud in a gym and echo so greatly that, legit, EVERYONE will turn and look. It is almost like there is another ref with a super whistle. I always tell them, “Hey, I am not breaking any rules by whistling’.”

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: No doubt, my favorite TV shows are Breaking Bad and Seinfeld.

Q: Favorite movie:

A: Three movies come to mind: Forrest Gump, Back to the Future and Pistol: Birth of a Legend.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: Admittedly, I do not have a specific artist that I would claim as my favorite. I kind of listen to a particular genre depending on my mood at the moment.

Q: Favorite food/meal?

A: I don’t have one specific meal that I would call my favorite, but what sticks out to me is all of my late grandma’s authentic homemade Italian dinners.

Q: Best vacation?

A: All the family vacations at the beach in North Carolina are my best vacations because of the fond memories. I will never forget swimming in the ocean with my dad and uncle the night before a hurricane evacuation. The waves were so massive and fun! Hindsight says it was kind of dangerous.

Q: Shoutout to former teammates.

A I was part of so many league championships in football and basketball that it would be unfair to name just a few. The ones that stand out to me are the ones that annoyed me at the time for their approach to our team. However, when I look back at it, I realize that they were just great leaders that expected the most of everyone.

Q: Favorite motto or quote?

A: I can accept failure. I cannot accept not trying. — Michael Jordan.

Q: What is your coaching philosophy?

A: I always tell my teams that we will play hard and play with class. To me, those cover so many things in interscholastic athletics required to be successful, that they are simple lessons that will translate well to all parts of life.

Q: What does it mean, to you, to be a G-Men student-athlete?

A: Being a G-Men student-athelete is a high standard. A high standard of work ethic, performance, attitude and representation of school, community and family.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Whitey’s in Richfield.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Mr. Johnson (World History), Mr. Hite (English) and Mr. Taylor (Industrial Arts).

Q: Advice you would give the younger version of you?

A: Always give 110% in everything you do and do not be afraid of failure.