Many would say that local product Kevin Weakley was mature beyond his years entering college. A 1995 graduate of Worthington Christian High School, the point guard developed under Hall of Fame coach Ray Slagle as the Warriors were OHSAA runners-up in 1994.
Weakley arrived at Otterbein extremely familiar with Division III basketball and the Ohio Athletic Conference. His father, Scott, had spent five years as the head coach across town at Capital just prior to his son enrolling as a Cardinal.
The 6-0 floor general could do it all – run, shoot, pass and defend. Legendary coach Dick Reynolds gave Weakley the reins from day one as the rookie started all 25 games during the 1995-96 season. He ultimately averaged eight points, four assists, and two steals per outing that winter while learning the ropes.
Weakley continued showing steady progress, but needed to help Otterbein navigate through a pair of disappointing seasons under .500 to begin his career. The team did just that, making the OAC Tournament Championship game his junior season before a narrow 83-80 loss to Baldwin Wallace.
Otterbein came back ready to roll his senior year (1998-99) as Weakley exploded to earn first team All-OAC, first team All-Great Lakes Region, and first team All-America from the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He led the OAC in scoring at 23.3 points per game, set an OAC single-season record with 100 made three-pointers, and was voted the Regional Player of the Year.
The Cardinals once again made the OAC Tournament Final and later received an at-large bid to compete in the NCAA Championships. Otterbein knocked out Defiance, 104-90, in the first round before falling to Wooster, 89-80, in the second round. The dust settled with a 21-8 overall record, helping grease the wheels for a national championship run just a few years after.
Within the Otterbein record books, Weakley ranks first all-time in steals (256), second in three-pointers made (230), second in assists (569), fourth in free-throw percentage (.806) and seventh in points (1,666). Additionally, the lead guard still holds the OAC record for most steals in a career.
A 3x All-OAC selection on the hardwood, Weakley also had consistent success in the classroom majoring in business (with a focus in coaching management). He culminated with the OAC Clyde Lamb Award, presented annually to the top male and female senior student-athlete at each institution across the league.
Weakley’s relationship with the game of basketball continued after graduation. He coached eighth grade for one season out of college before taking over the Worthington Christian varsity program at just 24 years old. Weakley has since won more than 300 games at his alma mater, including another OHSAA state runner-up finish (this time from the sidelines) in 2008.
Kevin and his high-school sweetheart, Anne Marie, were married after their sophomore year of college and now have three children; Katherine, Megan and Grant.