A statue of NCAA’s Jernstedt will be unveiled downtown Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS — He was dubbed “The Father of the Closing 4.” The creator of March Insanity. An icon of the NCAA.

However Tom Jernstedt is probably going a reputation unknown to most, no less than to these exterior the inside workings of faculty sports activities or school basketball, for that matter.

Jernstedt was an unsung hero of thrilling, final second Candy 16 wins and underdog Elite Eight victories. He was the architect of NCAA event brackets that grew to become annual, beloved competitions. 

Jernstedt died Sept. 5, 2020, at his dwelling close to Jupiter, Florida on the age of 75. In Indianapolis on Saturday, he will probably be honored.

A statute of Jernstedt will probably be unveiled this weekend close to the statue of John Picket downtown on Georgia Road. Inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a celebration of Jernstedt’s life will happen.

“The person you most likely don’t acknowledge, however who has spent a whole month in your house for many years, had overseen what has develop into often called March Insanity since 1973,” an announcement saying Jernstedt’s statue unveiling reads. “He helped elevate the expansion of the NCAA event from 25 to 68 groups, remodeling the occasion right into a $10 billion international phenomenon.”

The daddy of sports activities radio, Jeff Smulyan of Emmis Communications, stated Thursday that with out Jernstedt, the NCAA because the world is aware of it might be completely different — and never for the higher.

“I imply he created this factor,” Smulyan stated. “He was the daddy of the Closing 4, the daddy of the NCAA.” And Jernstedt was a great pal to Smulyan.

“He was an expensive pal.”

His first Closing 4 was in March 1973

Jernstedt was born in McMinnville, Oregon in November 1944, raised in Carlton, Oregon and was a three-sport athlete at Yamhill Carlton Excessive Faculty.

He performed quarterback on the College of Oregon from 1964 to 1966 earlier than accidents ended his profession. He was senior president of his graduating class.

After school, Jernstedt spent two years in non-public enterprise and determined he needed to be again on the planet of athletics. He returned to Oregon and took jobs in administrative roles for 3 years.

His work there prompted the NCAA to rent Jernstedt in 1972 as a director of occasions.

He’s credited with guiding the NCAA Males’s Division I Basketball Championship to what it’s at present. Jernstedt oversaw his first Closing 4 in March 1973 and a 12 months later was promoted to assistant government director. For the subsequent 29 years, he held a number of different senior-level administration positions, then was appointed government vice chairman in 2003.

With the NCAA, Jernstedt managed occasions, oversaw branding and negotiated TV and company sponsorship contracts. Jernstedt was let go in 2011 after NCAA President Mark Emmert got here on board.

Saturday’s celebration of life will honor Jernstedt with tributes from Huge East Commissioner Val Ackerman, College of Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne, basketball legend Quinn Buckner, former Huge Ten Convention Commissioner Jim Delany, former ESPN and CBS Sports activities government Len DeLuca, NCAA Senior President of Basketball Dan Gavitt, amongst many others.

Video tributes will probably be proven that includes Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame CEO John Doleva, former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, CBS Sports activities’ Jim Nantz and Invoice Raftery, College of North Carolina former coach Roy William, and ESPN and ABC Sports activities’ Dick Vitale.

Comply with IndyStar sports activities reporter Dana Benbow on Twitter: @DanaBenbow. Attain her through electronic mail: dbenbow@indystar.com.