Edward S. "Ed" Steitz

Recognized worldwide as the leading authority on amateur basketball rules, Ed Steitz promoted rule changes that made the game faster, more exciting, and led to higher scores. As secretary, editor, and national interpreter of the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee from 1965 to 1990, he fought for significant rules changes to improve college basketball. Steitz coached at Springfield College, where the game was invented, for ten seasons and served as the school's director of athletics from 1956 to 1990. Founder of ABAUSA Basketball – now USA Basketball – Steitz conducted over 1,000 rules clinics worldwide and served as chairman of the United States Olympic Selection Committee from 1964 to 1980. Steitz touched the game in a number of ways and his influence is still apparent today.