Though he spent twenty years on the sidelines of Herkimer High School's football field as the freshman and Assistant Varsity coach and ten years guiding the school's swimmers to countless team and individual records, Rosario "Russ" Dalia made his mark on the tennis courts. As Herkimer High School's Varsity Tennis coach for 18 years, Russ taught countless youngsters the finer points of the sport.

During Russ's tenure as head coach, his teams secured five Center Valley Conference titles and five Center Valley Conference Tournament titles. His players amassed four undefeated seasons en route to some of the finest seasons ever in Herkimer High School's athletic history. At one point, Russ' teams won thirty-three straight dual matches, a spectacular feat for players of any age.

Russ took a break from coaching for ten years and then was lured back to the sport he loved when the United States Tennis Association (USTA) was searching for a Volunteer Coordinator for its Northern District of its Eastern Section in 1992. Unable to say no to such a terrific opportunity, Russ became the coach and the captain of Team Dalia, a USTA Men's team. His stewardship and play did not disappoint fans of the game throughout his twelve-year run as coach/captain.

With an astonishing record of 108-3, Russ's teams secured an impressive 11 League Titles in the Men's 3.5/4.0 League. Along with those league titles, his teams secured 7 District Championships, 3 New York State Eastern Section Championships, and in 1993 they won the USTA National Championship in the 3.5 level.

Those were only one facet of his accomplishments on the court. He also secured 7 League Titles in the Senior Men 4.0 League, 7 District Championships, and 2 New York Eastern Section Championships. His record is one that is comparable to few others who have laced up tennis shoes.

Dominick Rasi said, in nominating Russ for induction in to the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame, "Russ Dalia has contributed to his community in a most quiet manner, and his accomplishments on the tennis courts especially have gone largely unnoticed. His inclusion in the Hall of Fame will be a fine testament to a fine contributor both on and off the court."