This article was originally published prior to June 2, 2013.  Due to a change in content management systems, the initial publication date is not available.

After 25 years at the helm of the Baker men’s basketball program, head coach Rick Weaver announced his retirement from Baker University Tuesday.

“My initial reaction was just … wow, it’s going to be the end of an era for Baker basketball,” guard Malcolm Greer said.

Weaver had a meeting with players Monday before University President Pat Long made the news public Tuesday.

“It has been something kind of developing for a while,” Weaver said.

Weaver said it was a difficult decision to make because it is hard to get out of something he really enjoys doing, but it was time.

The 2009-10 season will be Weaver’s final as the Baker head coach, although he will continue to teach several classes and help with fundraising during the 2010-11 school year.

Assistant Athletic Director Theresa Yetmar said at the completion of the 2010-11 year, Weaver will officially be reitred.

“You can’t replace coach Weaver,” Yetmar said. “He’s done tremendous things for the university.”

With Weaver coaching this season, the athletic department will have more time to search for a replacement.

“I think what this will allow us to do is to be selective about who the leader of our program is,” Yetmar said. “This will give us time to do some research, talk to current players and former players and really find a good fit for Baker.”

Weaver, a three-time Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year who came to Baker in 1985, has won 352 games while coaching the Wildcats, including a school record 25 wins in 1996, which earned the ‘Cats a spot in the NAIA National Tournament.

Weaver is an alumnus of Morningside College, where he is now a member of the Morningside Athletics Hall of Fame.

“The wins definitely are fun and the losses definitely hurt, but I think the thing that I’ve enjoyed the most is just the relationships with the kids I’ve had to coach,” Weaver said. “I really feel fortunate to work with a lot of really good people at Baker and I’ve had the chance to coach a lot of good kids.”

Weaver's team will have several weeks off during the holidays before opening 2010 at the Bethel Classic on Jan. 1 and 2. <br/>