Eastern Connecticut State University

Richard H. “Izzy” Bilda was a four-year member of the basketball and baseball programs under Hall of Fame coach Francis E. Geissler. A left-handed shooter, the Norwich native collected 750 points in his 57-game varsity basketball career (13.2 average), making his mark as an excellent free-throw shooter and hard-charging offensive player.  As a senior captain in basketball, Bilda averaged 15.1 points, helping lead the Warriors to a program-record 18 wins and a berth in the New England Teachers’ College Conference (NETCC) tournament for the third time in four years. A left-handed pitcher and outfielder in baseball, Bilda led the staff in ERA twice. As a junior, he led the club in innings and ERA and batted a career- high .367. Upon graduation, Bilda brought distinction to his alma mater as a respected area education, administrator, coach and umpire for more than 30 years.