A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bieden bach began participating in athletics at an early age. Team ball with the “Baby Blues” baseball team and the “Baby Blues” football team was rewarding and formative preparation for Eddie’s future in sports participation and sports leadership.

Biedenbach was a two-sport standout at Edgewood High School, lettering in both basketball and football. Baseball was not offered at Edgewood, but Biedenbach played on the area legion team during the summer.

Biedenbach was recruited to play basketball at several colleges, but ultimately signed with N.C. State. He quickly became a fan favorite as a speedy defensive guard who had uncanny hand and foot quickness, great ball-handling skills and an innate knack for the game. Sportswriters nicknamed him “The Pittsburgh Pickpocket” and “The Pittsburgh Pirate” for his propensity to steal the ball from his opponents. Following his collegiate career, Biedenbach was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 45th pick of the 1968 NBA Draft. He played briefly with the Phoenix Suns during the 1968-69 season before returning to N.C. State to begin a long and rewarding coaching career.

Biedenbach had coaching stops at N.C. State, Davidson, Georgia and UNC Asheville before arriving at UNCW as an assistant in 2013. His 256 victories at UNC Asheville are still a school record. He is also the winningest coach in the history of the Big South. Biedenbach was named the conference coach of the year four times, and he guided the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament three times.

In addition to their success on the court, Biedenbach’s teams were excellent in the classroom. His players had a 95% graduation rate.

Biedenbach married the former Barbara Jean Walters of Raleigh in 1970, and the duo will soon celebrate 53 years of marriage. They have two lovely, spirited daughters and six remarkably athletic and creative grandchildren.