A two sport athlete at Georgetown, Dick "Ziggy" Zeitler was a fan favorite on the court and on the diamond.

An all-county basketball selection at Archbishop Molloy in 1967, Zeitler saw limited time at Georgetown over three seasons, and former coach Jack Magee regretted not giving him more playing time.

"I have been unfair to one player though, and that's Richard Zeitler, who had the finest attitude of any athlete I've ever coached," Magee told The HOYA in 1971. "I didn't play him enough and I don't know why. He's my kind of player, and I was just too stupid not to play him."

Zeitler may have been better known for his baseball prowess. "Last, but not least is the Hoya captain, Dick Zeitler," wrote the HOYA in 1971. The "Silver Squirrel" led the team in batting, walks, stolen bases and runs and hits last year, ranking 17th in hitting and third in stolen bases in the nation. Dick has been the cornerstone for the team and is duplicating last year's performance. He has stolen 41 of 45 bases in his career while averaging .352 for the Hoyas."

Following graduation, Zeitler turned to coaching, serving as an assistant basketball coach at Archbishop Molloy (NY) HS and then as an assistant under Bob McKillop at Holy Trinity HS in Hicksville, NY. Zeitler suceeded McKillop and coached there for 18 seasons.

"Not only did Dick Zeitler coach teams to championships, but he actually cared about kids and was a positive role model for all those he canme in contact with, "said Matt Doherty, who played under Zeitler from 1978 to 1980 and whose teams won the New York Class A state title. Zeitler retired from coaching in 1997.