Tom Jernstedt Death – Dead | Obituary – Passed Away
Tom Jernstedt Death – Dead: A great loss was made known to InsideEko. As friends and families of the deceased are mourning the passing of their loved and cherished Tom Jernstedt.
Having heard about this great loss, the family of this individual is passing through pains, mourning the unexpected passing of their beloved.
This departure was confirmed through social media posts made by Twitter users who pour out tributes, and condolences to the family of the deceased.
The #CFBPlayoff family is grieving the loss of Tom Jernstedt, a member of the first CFP selection committee who served for four years. Tom was a dedicated, smart and hard-working observer of college football. Of course, he was also the cornerstone of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. A dual-threat prep athlete in Carlton, Oregon, he was also a dual-threat administrator. We will miss him, and we send our blessings to Kris, Cole, Jaci, Derek and Jen.
REST IN PEACE.. TOM JERNSTEDT .. “THE FATHER OF THE FINAL FOUR”..
College basketball doesn’t look like it does today without Tom Jernstedt. The thrill of March Madness and the fervor of the Final Four have Jernstedt’s fingerprints all over them.
Jernstedt, an NCAA executive from 1972-2010 who played a pivotal role in the growth of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, died Sunday. He was 75. “He was the guiding hand, the steady hand and the unflappable leader of that transformation of the event,” NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt told IndyStar. “He was just an unflappable, principled leader that people trusted. That trust went a long way to being able to grow something like the NCAA tournament. Even though he’ll be recognized because of March Madness and the men’s Final Four, he had a huge hand in the development and the growth of the women’s championship and the College World Series and in all NCAA Championships.
Jernstedt was born in a small town in Oregon, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He went to the University of Oregon to play football, which eventually led to a job with the athletic department. In 1972, he became the NCAA’s director of events. He ran his first NCAA men’s basketball tournament in 1973. In the nearly four decades that followed, Jernstedt played a role in the transformation of college sports. In 1973, the television rights for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament exceeded $1 million for the first time. Two years later, the field expanded to 32 teams and the team “Final Four” was officially adopted by the NCAA. By 1982, the field was expanded to 48 teams and the selection show was nationally televised for the first time. Three years later, the bracket was expanded to include 64 teams.
In 1999, the NCAA and CBS agreed to an 11-year deal worth more than $6 billion that included sweeping rights to tournament coverage. By the time Jernstedt’s position was eliminated in 2010, the NCAA signed a 14-year, $10.8 billion deal with CBS and Turner Sports. More than 140,000 fans attended the Final Four in Indianapolis. “I’m saddened to learn of the passing of Tom Jernstedt,” Colts owner Jim Irsay tweeted Sunday afternoon. “Tom was with the NCAA for nearly 40 years and was a key figure in helping Indy build its sports legacy. He was a gentleman who cared deeply for our community. Rest In Peace.” Jernstedt also played a key role in the evolution of college football, he served on the first College Football Playoff selection committee in 2013. “I am devastated by the loss of my ex-boss and forever-friend Tom Jernstedt,” College Football Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock tweeted Sunday .”He was (the) architect and conscience of the NCAA tournament. And a terrific member of the CFP selection committee. He will be greatly missed.”
A former backup quarterback, Jernstedt worked his first Final Four in 1973 and helped push the growth of the NCAA tournament from 25 teams to the 68-team, anything-can-happen bonanza held every spring. Jernstedt helped the NCAA increase its television contract from just over $1 million to more than $10 billion when he left in 2011. He served as president of USA Basketball, was a member of the College Football Selection committee and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2017. “Tom Jernstedt was a humble and unsung steward of the game,” John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame, said in a statement. “Under his direction, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament grew into a phenomenon that brings college basketball fans together on a global scale. He will forever be remembered as the Father of the Final Four and one of the most respected leaders in basketball.” Jernstedt established himself as a team leader despite being a backup quarterback at Oregon from 1964 to ’66 and went on to serve as the Ducks’ events manager. He joined the NCAA in 1972 and spent 38 years with the organization. “Tom served as a friend and mentor to countless people in and around collegiate athletics, and I’m proud to be among that vast group of people,” Gavitt said. “His legacy within the NCAA and its membership, and his impact on the sport of college basketball, is eternal. We extend our deepest condolences to Tom’s family.”
R.I.P Tom.. Float on.
Hes not trending but Tom Jernstedt was a legend for those who worked behind the scenes at events…He WAS the man who executed Gavitt’s vision of the modern NCAA Tournament into the wild bonanza of top teams AND cinderellas that everyone adores every year…RIP #FinalFour
Hes not trending but Tom Jernstedt was a legend for those who worked behind the scenes at events…He WAS the man who executed Gavitt’s vision of the modern NCAA Tournament into the wild bonanza of top teams AND cinderellas that everyone adores every year…RIP #FinalFour
— The Starkman (@Starkman55) September 7, 2020
The #CFBPlayoff Family Is Grieving The Loss Of Tom Jernstedt, A Member Of The First CFP selection Committee Who Served For Four Years.Tom Was A Dedicated,Smart And Hard-Working Observer Of College Football
The #CFBPlayoff Family Is Grieving The Loss Of Tom Jernstedt, A Member Of The First CFP selection Committee Who Served For Four Years.Tom Was A Dedicated,Smart And Hard-Working Observer Of College Football pic.twitter.com/dKL9u95phH
— College Football Breakdown (@cfbbdga) September 7, 2020
Such a sad day. Tom Jernstedt had such a positive impact on the game of college basketball. Tom was a good friend who always worked to please others. Condolences to his family.
Such a sad day. Tom Jernstedt had such a positive impact on the game of college basketball. Tom was a good friend who always worked to please others. Condolences to his family. https://t.co/hoEefITQ7Q
— Billy King (@bkdefend) September 7, 2020
We are still working on getting more details about the death, as a family statement on the death is yet to be released.