Lou Eisenstein Inducted in 2005

Lou Eisenstein ( September 27, 1913-December 20, 1996), was a National Basketball Association referee from the league's beginnings in 1946 until his retirement in 1976. Eisenstein was the only referee to handle the finals for the N.B.A., the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Invitation Tournament in the same year. For 18 consecutive years, he refereed the N.B.A. quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, and for 14 years in a row, he refereed the N.I.T. final. He was a founder and, in 1953, the president of the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association.