Tom Jernstedt

Tom Jernstedt. . , Tom Jernstedt... , Father of the modern Final Four. Guiding influence of the relocation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association headquarters to Indianapolis. President of USA Basketball. Inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball and National Collegiate Basketball Halls of Fame. Member of the United States Olympic Committee and the Federation of International Basketball. Inaugural member of the College Football Playoff Committee., Husband of Kris. Father of Derek, Jaci and Cole. Pop to Jake and Avery., Friend to everyone., Exceptional three-sport high school student in his native Oregon. Scholarship football student-athlete at his beloved University of Oregon. Go Ducks!, Tom Jernstedt..., An unparalleled leader at the NCAA for 38 years. A passionate but soft-spoken advocate and counselor for all those whom the association served. One who kept his eye on the smallest of details in the biggest of pictures., Kind to all. Respected by all. Wisdom sought by so many. One who gave so much of himself but always humbly deflected praise and credit to others.br> , Tom Jernstedt..., An adopted Hoosier who in turn adopted Indianapolis and Indiana as his own. A champion of the city and a champion of the championships that came, many under his guidance. A Sagamore of the Wabash, the state's highest honor., A visionary who shepherded the unprecedented growth of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament into an American sports treasure, watched by millions annually. One who also guided the growth of and resources devoted to the women's tournament., Tom Jernstedt..., A man without whose groundwork laid and foundation poured years earlier it would have not been possible for Indianapolis and Indiana to flawlessly host the entirety of the NCAA's men's basketball tournament, as it did in March and April of 2021., And from up above, where the Pinot flows eternally, looking down upon that achievement with a fond smile, kind word and nod of well-done approval, it was of course..., Tom Jernstedt