An annual fixture on the streets of the Final Four, Richie Weiler may have traded in his whistle years ago, but the former Final Four official is still on the go.  Weiler refereed four Final Four events in 1974, 1979, 1980 and 1983, and worked the 1980 NCAA championship game between Louisville and UCLA.  His tenure makes him one of the game’s most respected officials.

Among his many accomplishments, Weiler was awarded the Mid-Continent Conference Commissioner’s Award of Merit in 2000.  This recognition is the most prestigious award that the league gives. It was established to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Mid-Continent Conference, as well as intercollegiate athletics. Weiler became only the seventh person to receive the honor as he was recognized for his efforts as the former men’s basketball coordinator of officials.

Richie Weiler (middle) visits with the Hoop Historians on the streets of Atlanta at the 2007 Final Four.

One of the most interesting statistical footnotes involves Weiler working games on both ends of one of sports longest streaks.  Rich was the "bookend" official for UCLA's 88-game streak, working the last game the Bruins lost before embarking on that Herculean effort, and the next one the team lost -- 89 games later to Notre Dame.  Weiler also worked the memorable 1974 National Semi-Final between North Carolina State and UCLA – amazingly yet another Bruins defeat!  UCLA won 100 of 105 games during that stretch and Weiler worked three of those five losses.  At an off-season function later that year, legendary UCLA coach John Wooden was introduced to Weiler, and the Wizard of Westwood quipped “I know him well”.