Wayne got his start in wrestling in the elementary program at Bald Eagle Area, started by Hall of Fame Coach, Joe Humphreys. Joe was a true father figure to the 5 Packer brothers, and coached Wayne one year at the Varsity level at BEA before moving on to coach and teach at Penn State. Then another Hall of Famer became Wayne’s coach. Dick Rhoades coached Wayne in his last two seasons at BEA. 

Wayne had a phenomenal high school career, compiling a career record of 56-6 with 25 falls. Wayne was a 2X District VI Champion, one year as the Outstanding Wrestler; a 2X Central Northwestern Regional Champion, and a 2X PIAA semi-finalist.  

Wayne then attended Penn State on a full scholarship and was a 3-year starter at 118 lbs. He excelled on the team, building a career record of 40-8-2 under head coach, Hall of Famer Bill Koll. Wayne became the first ever Eastern Wrestling League Champion in League History when the Lions moved from the EIWA to the newly formed EWL. He was ranked nationally for the Nittany Lions, the highest being a #4 ranking in the country during his senior year. Wayne graduated from Penn State in 1976. 

After college, Wayne began coaching and teaching at West Hazleton High School. He started a junior high program and was its first coach for two seasons before becoming the varsity coach for the Wildcats. He remained there for seven years, coaching the school’s first ever District 11 Champion and its first PIAA place winner and finalist.  

In 1989 he moved to Lampeter-Strasburg as the Head Coach. In 9 seasons Wayne coached over 100 wins for the Pioneers, was named the Coach of the Year for the Lancaster-Lebanon Wrestling League Section three times. In 1992, Wayne was named the District 3 Coach of the year. After the 1998 season, Wayne retired from Coaching and became the Athletic Director at Lampeter-Strasburg. In 2008 he retired from that position.  

Wayne is a member of the Bald Eagle Area Wrestling Hall of Fame and was selected as First Team on BEA’s All-50 Year team in 2006.  

He and his wife, Doreen split their time between Lancaster Pennsylvania & Venice Florida. They have three sons.