NCAA Executive Earns Academy Distinguished Service Award
Tom Jernstedt, a man known for his service to the sport of basketball and to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), received a Distinguished Service Award from United States Sports Academy President and CEO Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich at a private ceremony in New York on 1 June.
Jernstedt joined the NCAA in 1972 as Director of Events, and has held a number of positions within the Association in the ensuing years including Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President. He led the growth of the NCAA Final Four, making it one of the top events in sports. He is currently the executive vice president of the NCAA.
Jernstedt was the President of USA Basketball from 2001 to 2004, and has been involved in USA Basketball in a variety of positions since 1975. Jernstedt served as USA Basketball’s vice president from 1996 to 2000 and was vice president for men’s USA Basketball for the 1992-96 and 1976-80 quadrennials. He was a member of the USA Basketball board of directors since 1980.
Prior to joining the NCAA, Jernstedt worked for three years in the athletics department at the University of Oregon. A native of Carlton, Oregon, Jernstedt received both his Bachelor of Science degree (1967) and Master of Science degree (1973) from the University of Oregon.
Jernstedt has also been honored by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, from which he received the 2001 John Bunn Award for outstanding contributions to basketball.
The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is given annually to those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national or international sports through instruction, research or service.
The Distinguished Service Award has been presented by the Academy since 1984. Past honorees have included Frank DeFord, Dean Smith, Bobby Allison, Don Shula, Jimmy Connors, George Brett, Martina Navratilova, Harvey Schiller, Pat Summitt, Eddie Robinson, George Steinbrenner, Mario Lemieux, Bud Selig, Al McGuire and Nancy Lopez. For more information visit: http://www.asama.org/awards.
Jernstedt received the Academy's Order of the Eagle Exemplar medal and Academy Rosette. The Academy's Order of the Eagle Exemplar medallion was designed by the Academy's Sport Artist of the Year 1990, Blair Buswell. Award recipients are also presented with the Academy Rosette, modeled after the Legion of Honour, which was instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. A rosette is a symbol of recognition and affiliation.
