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Edward A. "Ed" Wachter
Biographical details
Born	June 30, 1883
Died	March 12, 1966
Playing career
1902–1903	Maynard New England Basketball League
1902–1904	Ware Wonders Massachusetts Central Basketball League
1903–1904	Haverhill New England Basketball Association
1904–1905	Lowell–Haverhill New England Basketball Association
1904–1905	Schenectady Company E team Independent
1904–1905	Troy Columbias A.C. Independent
1905–1906	Schenectady Company E team Independent
1905–1906	Brattleboro(VT) Independents Independent
1905–1906	Troy All-Americans Independent
1906–1907	Winsted (CT) Independent
1906–1909	Gloversville Co. G Independent
1908–1909	McKeesport Tubers Central Basketball League
1909–1910	Gloversville Co. G Independent
1909–1911	Troy Trojans Hudson River League
1911–1915	Troy Trojans New York State League
1914–1915	Troy Trojans Independent
1915–1916	Utica Utes New York State League
1915–1916	Kingston Pathfinders Interstate Basketball League
1916–1917	Hudson Company F New York State League
1918–1920	Windsor (VT) Namcos Independent
1919–1920	Springfield Gunners Inter-State League
1920–1921	Albany Senators New York State League
Position(s)	Center
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1915–1916	New York State Normal College at Albany
1915	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
1916–1920	Williams College
1920–1933	Harvard College
1935–1938	Lafayette College, Advisory Coach
Head coaching record
Overall	Harvard College 121–81
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
	Schenectady Company E team National AAU Basketball title 1905 Troy Trojans Hudson River Basketball League championship 1910 Troy Trojans Hudson River Basketball League championship 1912 Troy Trojans New York State League championship 1912 Troy Trojans New York State League championship 1915
Awards
	All-League center, Western Pennsylvania Basketball League 1900–1902 All-League center, New England Basketball League 1902–1904 All-time All-American basketball center 1928
	Basketball Hall of Fame; Inducted in 1961

Edward A. Wachter Jr (June 30, 1883 – March 12, 1966) was a professional basketball player and college coach. Wachter was born and raised in Troy, New York, the third of seven children to Theresa and Edward A. F. Wachter. Wachter did not attend high school or college and never married.^[1] Wachter served as City Assessor of Troy, New York from 1912 to 1920.

Professional basketball

Wachter began playing professional basketball in 1899.^[2] Wachter played for several professional teams in his 23-year 1,800 game career including the innovative New York based Troy Trojans with whom he won four league championships.^[2] Wachter was a dominant center and leading scorer for the Hudson River Valley and New York State Leagues from 1910 to 1915. Wachter did not play 1918–1919 following enlistment in the US Army and training in Fremont, California during WWI.^[3]

Head coaching career

Wachter was a college Men's Basketball coach for 35 years beginning when he played with the Utica Utes in 1915. Wachter was hired by Williams College as head Men's basketball coach in 1916.^[4] Wachter was head coach of Harvard Men's Basketball from 1920 to 1933 compiling a record of 121–81 (0.599).^[5]^[6]^[7] While at Harvard, Wachter also served as the Harvard Men's sculling and crew coach.^[1]

Basketball innovation

With his brother Lew Wachter as well as Jack Inglis, Bill Hardman and Jimmy Williamson, Wachter was instrumental in pioneering offensive strategies such as the bounce pass, screens, 5 man offense and long passing.^[8]^[9] The Wachter brothers introduced the rule that free throws are taken by the player fouled rather than a designated foul shot player.^[10] While at Harvard, Wachter authored "How to Play Basket Ball" in 1926. Wachter also wrote about how the game of basketball could be improved through uniform regulations, rule interpretations and acquiring fundamental skills.^[11] In 1927 Wachter voiced strong opposition to the existing one bounce dribble rule.^[8] In 1958, Wachter designed an experimental six game basketball tournament at Union College in Schenectady, New York.^[12] Four teams from Union College, Hamilton College, Siena College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute competed with a rim raised to 10 foot 5 inches and 20 inches from the backboard.^[12] Wachter noted that the changes to the rim “minimized the inordinate advantage the tall player now enjoys”.^[12]

Life after coaching

Wachter returned to Troy following coaching at Harvard College. Upon his return, he was appointed by the Troy School District as director of physical education. By 1936 he had become the Commissioner of Recreation for the city of Troy.^[1]^[13] Wachter retired from his Commissioner duties in 1958 after 22 years of service. He was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1961.