Ed Steitz

Edward S. "Ed" Steitz (November 7, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York, USA – May 21, 1990) was an American basketball coach and official, working for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He was considered the leading worldwide authority on amateur basketball rules.

Early life

Steitz was a native of Beacon, New York. He was a graduate of Cornell University before earning master's and doctoral degrees at Springfield College. After receiving his PhD, he started teaching at Springield in 1948.

Career

Coach and athletic director

Steitz became men's basketball coach at Springfield College from 1956 to 1966 and then became director of athletics from 1966 to 1990.

NCAA

He worked for the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee as a secretary, editor and national interpreter from 1965 to 1990. He was involved in most of college basketball's major changes over the years, most notably the advent of the 45-second shot clock in 1986 and the introduction of the 3-point field goal in 1987. He was also a longtime member of the NCAA executive committee.