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Weiler in the Pirates dugout with Pirates coaching staff.
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WIU Student Gets by With a Little Help from His Friends

November 12, 2015

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MACOMB, IL – "Bryce's intellectual DNA separates him from nearly everyone else."

Those are the words of Western Illinois University Sport Management Professor and Graduate Coordinator Algerian Hart when asked about second year sport management graduate student Bryce Weiler's motivation.

The story of Weiler, who hails from Claremont, IL, isn't your typical graduate student story. Yes, he's at WIU to obtain his master's degree, and as Hart added "has thrown himself into the graduate school experience." But what sets Weiler apart from his classmates is his persistence and dogged determination and the impact he has on those around him. Weiler has been visually impaired since birth due to retinopathy of prematurity, but that hasn't stopped him from providing commentary on sports events and even throwing out a perfect pitch at a baseball game.

He commentated 93 games at his undergraduate institution, the University of Evansville. This Sunday, Nov. 15 at Western Hall, Weiler will commentate his 98th and 99th games as he provides analysis for the Leathernecks men's and women's games. The women tip off at 2:30 p.m. against SIU-E, while the men's game against Hannibal-LaGrange is set to begin at 5 p.m.

"When Bryce is interested in something, he goes after it. His story is so unreal and complex. Bryce has so much potential," Hart added. "The original goal of offering him a place in our program was to give him the opportunity to improve his skills. But it has morphed into so much more. What he has to offer not only to sports, but also to broader society, is incredible. He is the perfect of example of going after your dreams."

While Weiler is quick to tell his story, and exudes enthusiasm for commentating games and being a part of the athletic community, he wants his story to be more than about himself. As he puts it "there are so many people who have helped me. That's the story."

"I love to talk to coaches and athletes about my story, and how anyone can overcome the obstacles and challenges in his or her life," he said. "But it's the people who are with me every day, who provide the assistance I need, that have really made me a success."

During Weiler's first year on Western's campus, he admits it was a struggle. He had a hard time meeting people, and getting others to help him navigate the cafeteria and assisting him at meal times. He called it a "frustrating year."

"There were times I had no idea who I was eating with because no one really spoke to me. But that changed with students Anna Askins, Summer Tracy, Rachel Burns and Thompson Hall Complex Director Sarah Robinson. These ladies make sure I have assistance in the cafeteria, and if I need to get elsewhere around campus," Weiler explained.

Despite the challenges he faced during his first year, Weiler knew it would get better. He also credits the support of Hart and fellow sport management graduate students Alex Deeb and Dwayne Hagnow, along with his own resolve, with his success, and assimilation, at WIU.

"I live in Thompson, as it's the closest to my classes in Brophy, and I can make it to class in six minutes if I'm walking fast. But the dining hall is a place where I need people to step forward and help. I'm lucky that Anna, Summer, Rachel and Sarah have stepped forward," he said. "My ultimate goal is to find a job in sports and to inspire others to overcome obstacles. If I cannot overcome the obstacles in my path, then I cannot do the job I want to do."


Askins recalled the day she met Weiler in the cafeteria. She and Burns were having dinner, and Weiler approached their table and asked they were interesting in dining with him. Askins, who gets together with Weiler a few times a week, calls him "one of a kind."

"He's interesting and such a kind-hearted person. Why wouldn't we want to sit with this guy at lunch or dinner and talk to him?," she said. "Bryce is just a nice person. He will do what he can to help anyone. He needed someone there for him, and I didn't even think twice about telling him to sit down with us."

Tracy met Weiler in the Thompson Dining Center after one of her professors had given Tracy Weiler's phone number because he was looking for people with whom to eat. Tracy was the only one in her class who reached out. She now dines with him at lunch nearly every day, and helps guide him through the dining hall, as well as assists him with running errands every so often.

"I have a pretty flexible schedule most days, so I am able to help Bryce whenever he needs it," she said. "I absolutely love every minute I get to spend with Bryce, and I consider him to be one of my best friends.

"He can talk your ear off about sports, and he is very determined to get a job despite his disability," Tracy added. "He's intelligent, outgoing and persistent."

Deeb added that as soon as he met Weiler, he know he was someone special, and he was "blown away" by Weiler's tenacity.

"I've gone with Bryce basketball games on campus, as well as going on a trip with him when he commentated a minor league baseball game in Burlington, Iowa. He is a remarkable individual who I am fortunate to know. Bryce is special, but in the most positive sense of the word. He doesn't make excuses for himself, and he damn sure doesn't let others make excuses either. One of my favorite things Bryce will say when hearing someone complain about something is, 'It's not that difficult; just do it,'" Deeb said. "He has always impressed me. It's as if there is no challenge he cannot face and overcome, no matter what it takes."

When it comes to commentating games or throwing out the first pitch or interviewing Leatherneck Club members for club promos, Weiler said he has learned so much since his first experience commentating the University of Southern Indiana game against the University of Indianapolis. Since that first game on Feb. 19, 2011, Weiler has provided commentary or analysis for 97 games. He hopes to reach his 100 game milestone during his final year at WIU. After Sunday's games, he'll be one game away from that milestone.

As Hart mentioned, Weiler goes after what he wants. Knowing that he wanted to work in sports, Weiler branched out from the academic side of the house and started emailing coaches and managers of college and professional sports teams.

"Networking is essential. I need to learn as much as I can and offer as much as possible to compensate for my lack of eyesight," he added.

Along with his WIU and Evansville friends, Weiler has some fairly well-known friends in his corner, such as former Butler Coach Brad Stevens, who now coaches the Boston Celtics, and University of Louisville Coach Rick Pitino. In April 2014, Weiler was invited to sit in the Pittsburgh Pirates dugout as they played the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle was the first pro manager to respond to Weiler's email.

"I love talking to players and coaches," Weiler said. "I want to find a job, hopefully in sports, where I can inspire others and show them there are more important things in life than just winning games."

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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