MIES (Switzerland) - Tributes are being paid to former USA Basketball president Tom Jernstedt, who has died. He was 75.

Jernstedt was a member of the USA Basketball Board of Directors for many years and the president from 2001-04. He was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.

"Tom was a steadfast supporter and a tireless contributor to USA Basketball, international basketball and the NCAA," said USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley.

"He cared greatly about the sport of basketball and even more about the athletes and coaches who represented USA Basketball. Tom was a good friend and mentor to me and to many others at USA Basketball.  He will be missed."

Jernstedt left a lasting imprint on the NCAA Tournament. He earned the nickname "Father of the Final Four."

After working at his first NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in 1973, Jernstedt helped push the growth of the NCAA tournament from 25 to 68 teams. The NCAA, according to the Oregonian newspaper, increased its television contract from just over $1 million to more than $10 billion when he left in 2011.

"His innovation and superb ability to develop relationships turned a basketball tournament into a three-week phenomenon that became a global event," said Dan Gavitt, the NCAA senior vice president.

"Under his direction, the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament grew into a phenomenon that brings college basketball fans together on a global scale," said John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. "He will forever be remembered as the Father of the Final Four and one of the most respected leaders in basketball."

FIBA