Ronnie’s love for life is his greatest legacy

Ronnie Weintraub (right) with Rhamel Brown at the Sheraton in Springfield, Mass. after Manhattan won 2014 MAAC championship. (Photo by Jaden Daly/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

There are people in this world who, through no fault of their own, become such transcendent legends through the course of their lives that they need only be referred to by their first names, with their popularity and impact already implied by their mere mention.

Elvis. Tiger. LeBron.

Such a phenomenon was also felt in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for the past three decades, as anyone associated with the league in any way, shape or form grew to know one name.

Ronnie.

To a lot of people, Ronnie Weintraub WAS the MAAC and everything it stood for, soon gaining recognition beyond the most extreme outreaches of his niche audience. A one-of-a-kind presence, easily spotted by his thick glasses, ubiquitous Special Olympics medals, and handwritten stat sheets that were so unintelligible that they actually ended up making sense, Ronnie became the constant in a landscape that would soon fall victim to realignment and widespread transfers like most of its mid-major brethren.

Sadly, arguably the most defining character in the MAAC community — a motley crew of characters in its own right — left our crazy world recently, as Ronnie has passed away, gone far too soon at just 63 years of age.

Ronnie’s story, much like the manner in which he lived, was one that had to be seen to be truly appreciated. Although developmentally challenged, Ronnie never let his limitations get in the way of his passion. He was the kindest of souls, despite the many misconceptions about him, and he always found a way to leave the most memorable impressions in all walks of life.

Ronnie, going over final pregame prep with Jay Bilas before the 2016 MAAC tournament championship. (Photo by Jaden Daly/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

Once upon a time, or so the story goes, Ronnie met then-Manhattan athletic director Bob Byrnes at a Special Olympics fundraiser, asked him if he could cover a Jaspers game — this was back in the Steve Lappas era — and the rest was history. From that moment on, everybody who was connected in any way with the MAAC knew Ronnie, and Ronnie knew them. And if Ronnie didn’t know you, he made it his business to before the night was over, no matter who you were. Gary Cohen? Not too big a name for Ronnie to schmooze with. Jay Bilas? Ronnie tipped it back with the baron of the ball screen, too. Dan Shulman? Ronnie handed him a copy of his stat sheet before he called the 2016 MAAC championship. Heck, even Hillary Clinton couldn’t escape the charismatic aura of Ronnie, who somehow found his way onto the floor at the Democratic National Convention. Bobby Gonzalez frequently shared stories of Ronnie taking the bus with his Jasper teams from Buffalo, Albany, or anyplace else commutable, and then giving him money to get back to his home on Roosevelt Island. When he suddenly abandoned Manhattan for Saint Peter’s in 2015, partially because two of the Peacocks’ high-ranking administrators at the time also jumped ship from Riverdale, it sent shockwaves through the MAAC community, as no one expected Ronnie to ditch Manhattan College, ever. He was an unofficial mascot of sorts, but always a welcoming presence with his warm greeting and desire to talk hoops. Pregame at Draddy Gym was never complete without his customary, “JD (for some reason, he could never remember Jaden, so he always called me JD), what’s your prediction?” And before the postgame press conferences, he channeled his inner NHL by sharing his three stars of the game.

Ronnie wasn’t just exclusive to the MAAC, though. He could just as easily be found anywhere across the New York basketball scene, frequently showing up in the press boxes at Madison Square Garden, and eventually, Barclays Center, to do his trademark broadcasts and keep score as he went along, sometimes handing out nicknames in the process. Jimmy Patsos, the colorful Loyola and Siena coach, was dubbed “The Showman.” Rick Pitino was “Rick the Rat.” Iona losses were always met with Reggie Miller’s famous choke gesture. Whether at Manhattan, Saint Peter’s, or anywhere on the road in between, Ronnie was always true to himself and usually the most passionate and avid of hoops fans in the building. That always reflected in his work, even when missed free throws were accompanied by a loud “OH, JESUS!”

One of Ronnie’s iconic handwritten stat sheets, which someone always made copies of for him to hand out to the media. (Photo by Jaden Daly/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

There were many times that Ronnie could exasperate you, especially if you were a writer on deadline or a broadcaster signing on. He could get on your last nerve, as he did in 2017 when we coincidentally ended up taking the same bus to the MAAC tournament and I was unable to get a few last-minute previews done. But when all the dust settled, you always knew that Ronnie meant well and never had any malicious intent. His compassion just got lost in the shuffle more often than not, and looking back, I wish all of us were more patient with him than we were in the heat of the moment.

But of all the things for which Ronald Weintraub should always be remembered, the sheer love for life and the people who found their into his, even if just for one second, needs to be at the top of the list. And in a buttoned-up, post-pandemic world where an already unforgiving business feels more and more adversarial every day, we can all learn from the example Ronnie set by just being himself, every day he blessed the world with his existence, as only he could.

His MAAC tournament credential every year listed his affiliation as “MAAC #1 Fan.” However, no one was a bigger fan of living his best life and just interacting with people for no other reason besides opening his heart and bringing them into his world than Ronnie Weintraub. We are all better for having known him, because he taught us not only to not judge a book by its cover, but also to appreciate anyone we encounter in our travels just for who and what they are.

May his legacy always be a blessing.