Wildcat coach doesn't stay on the sidelines

Rick Weaver jumps from his seat on the sideline of Collins Center to start yelling at a referee about a questionable call.

But unlike most coaches, if Weaver is mad or angry, he is not always showing it.

Weaver makes his inquiry of the referee nearest him, and the person calling foul backpedals away from the Baker men’s basketball coach genuinely laughing with Weaver as the game continues.

This is a common occurrence when the Wildcat men’s basketball team takes the court, whether it is home or away, pregame or postgame.

Weaver is known for his humor and good attitude, not only on the basketball court, but when the games are over and real life starts again.

“He’s an awesome guy with a positive attitude at all times,” senior forward Justin Houser said. “He has obviously gained a lot of respect since he has been at Baker so long.”

Weaver got his first coaching job when he was 22 years old as an assistant high school football and basketball coach.

Weaver has been a coach at Baker since 1985 and has been involved in coaching for 37 years. Weaver has found his home at Baker.

“My first week at Baker, I actually got bit by a dog,” Weaver said. “My wife had to take care of me and ended up getting a nursing job because of it.”

The location of Baker was also a draw for Weaver.

The small-town atmosphere of Baldwin City with the big college town of Lawrence less than half an hour away made the home of the Wildcats stand out.

“It is a good place with a good location close to Lawrence,” he said.

That location does help Weaver when he is working to recruit prospective students and players to come to Baker.

While the team’s needs do change from year to year and from position to position, the need to fit in at Baker never changes and Weaver is honest with the probable students about their chances at Baker, both athletically and academically.

“Rick Weaver is a straight shooter,” Tom Hedrick, on air personality and Baker basketball play-by-play announcer, said. “He will work to get the kids that fit Baker just right.”

Weaver said his good attitude was all about finding a balance.

“I’m just glad to get out of bed every morning still breathing,” Weaver chuckled. “You have to live your life with a balance. If you don’t, things can get out of whack.”

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