| Edward A. "Ed" Wachter | |
| Birth Date: | June 30, 1883 |
| Death Date: | March 12, 1966 |
| Player Years1: | 1902-1903 |
| Player Years2: | 1902-1904 |
| Player Years3: | 1903-1904 |
| Player Years4: | 1904-1905 |
| Player Years5: | 1904-1905 |
| Player Years6: | 1904-1905 |
| Player Years7: | 1905-1906 |
| Player Years8: | 1905-1906 |
| Player Years9: | 1905-1906 |
| Player Years10: | 1906-1907 |
| Player Years11: | 1906-1909 |
| Player Years12: | 1908-1909 |
| Player Years13: | 1909-1910 |
| Player Years14: | 1909-1911 |
| Player Years15: | 1911-1915 |
| Player Years16: | 1914-1915 |
| Player Years17: | 1915-1916 |
| Player Years18: | 1915-1916 |
| Player Years19: | 1916-1917 |
| Player Years20: | 1918-1920 |
| Player Years21: | 1919-1920 |
| Player Years22: | 1920-1921 |
| Player Team1: | Maynard New England Basketball League |
| Player Team2: | Ware Wonders Massachusetts Central Basketball League |
| Player Team3: | Haverhill New England Basketball Association |
| Player Team4: | Lowell–Haverhill New England Basketball Association |
| Player Team5: | Schenectady Company E team Independent |
| Player Team6: | Troy Columbias A.C. Independent |
| Player Team7: | Schenectady Company E team Independent |
| Player Team8: | Brattleboro(VT) Independents Independent |
| Player Team9: | Troy All-Americans Independent |
| Player Team10: | Winsted (CT) Independent |
| Player Team11: | Gloversville Co. G Independent |
| Player Team12: | McKeesport Tubers Central Basketball League |
| Player Team13: | Gloversville Co. G Independent |
| Player Team14: | Troy Trojans Hudson River League |
| Player Team15: | Troy Trojans New York State League |
| Player Team16: | Troy Trojans Independent |
| Player Team17: | Utica Utes New York State League |
| Player Team18: | Kingston Pathfinders Interstate Basketball League |
| Player Team19: | Hudson Company F New York State League |
| Player Team20: | Windsor (VT) Namcos Independent |
| Player Team21: | Springfield Gunners Inter-State League |
| Player Team22: | Albany Senators New York State League |
| Player Positions: | Center |
| Overall Record: | Harvard College 121-81 |
| 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 1912Troy Trojans New York State League championship 1915 |
| Awards: | All-League center, Western Pennsylvania Basketball League 1900-1902All-League center, New England Basketball League 1902-1904All-time All-American basketball center 1928 |
| Baskhof Year: | 1961 |
| Coach Years1: | 1915-1916 |
| Coach Team1: | New York State Normal College at Albany |
| Coach Years2: | 1915 |
| Coach Team2: | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Coach Years3: | 1916-1920 |
| Coach Team3: | Williams College |
| Coach Years4: | 1920-1933 |
| Coach Team4: | Harvard College |
| Coach Years5: | 1935-1938 |
| Coach Team5: | Lafayette College, Advisory Coach |
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.
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. 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]
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.
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] The Wachter brothers introduced the rule that free throws are taken by the player fouled rather than a designated foul shot player.[9] 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.[10] In 1927 Wachter voiced strong opposition to the existing one bounce dribble rule.[11] In 1958, Wachter designed an experimental six game basketball tournament at Union College in Schenectady, New York. 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”.
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.[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.