Riebe Paved Way for Today’s Fighting Scots’ Basketball Success

Erich Riebe is one of the key reasons The College of Wooster has developed a reputation as one of today's elite NCAA Div. III men's basketball programs in the country, as he was the initial player to commit to then-first-year coach Steve Moore in 1988.

"He was our first recruit, in that he committed pretty early that year," explained Moore, who, thanks to the numerous outstanding players that followed in Riebe's footsteps, has amassed a record of 412-99 over the past 18 seasons, including eight North Coast Athletic Conference championships and 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. "Without a doubt, Erich was crucial in turning the program around."

As a high school basketball player at nearby Waynedale High School, Riebe had a variety of offers, including a couple full scholarships, but the two-time Akron Beacon Journal Player of the Year chose to stay close to home and play for a coach that made a strong impression on him.

"I think the (Wooster) program is headed in the right direction," he told the Beacon Journal prior to arriving on campus. "I feel very confident about what I can contribute there. I could have gone to some other school, but I really like Coach (Steve) Moore. I don't think I really seriously considered going anywhere else."

Riebe immediately stepped into a starting role with the Scots at point guard, and despite being just 6-1 and 180 pounds, he proved he could do just about everything on the hardwood.

"Erich was an extremely versatile player, probably the most versatile I've ever coached," said Moore, who has coached four All-Americans and 15 different first-team All-NCAC selections. "He could not only bring the ball up the court, but was also a great scorer and passer. He was able to interchange between point and shooting guard, and was even an excellent post-up player. In addition, he was a very good rebounding guard and a very strong, physical player."

Riebe used his abilities to pile up 1,567 points, which currently ranks No. 4 in team history, while he remains Wooster's all-time leader in assists with 444, or 4.0 per game. Riebe ranks among the top-10 in five other career categories, including third in 3-pointers made (161) and fourth in 3-point percentage (.436). Those statistics led to a number of postseason honors, including thee times being named to the All-NCAC First Team as well as second-team all-district as a senior.

Foremost, though, in Riebe's mind was winning, and his teams accomplished that, too. The Scots were 90-23 between the 1988-89 and 1991-92 seasons, while winning an NCAC regular season or tournament title every year as well as reaching the NCAA tourney (twice) for the first time since the 1970s.

Riebe has carried over the successes from his playing days on to the sideline, as he's been the varsity boys' basketball coach at Waynedale, where he also is a teacher, since 1995, accumulating a record of 112-108. The Golden Bears won Wayne County Athletic League titles in 1998-99 and 1999-00, with Riebe picking up league and district Coach-of-the-Year awards both of those seasons. He also remains a key staff member of Camp Fighting Scot. When away from the basketball court, Riebe is most likely either golfing (4 handicap and two career hole-in-ones) or enjoying time with his family. He's been married to his wife, Heather, for 10 years, and they have two children — Brevin (7) and Brooklyn (5).