Jay Ramsdell

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Jay Ramsdell, former Commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association, was a prodigy who rose to the top of the sports world at a young age and whose life was tragically cut short when he was killed in the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa on July 19, 1989.".[1]

As a ninth-grade student in 1978, Ramsdell interviewed the owner of the expansion Lumberjacks for an article in his high school newspaper. The owner was so impressed, he invited Jay to "help out" the team on Opening Night. That night Jay was assigned to the scorer's table, and by the end of the game he was the Statistical Crew Chief. Within a week, Jay had assumed the role of the team's Director of Public Relations.

Ramsdell remained with the 'Jacks until his high school graduation in 1982 when he was hired by the CBA's league office as an Administrative Asssistant. Within a year, he was the league's Director of Operations, and became the league's Deputy Commissioner before he turned 21.

He returned to Bangor to serve as the General Manager for the Maine Windjammers in 1985/86. After that franchise folded after one season, Ramsdell returned to the CBA front office and his post as Deputy Commissioner.[2]

With the resignation of Commissioner Mike Storen in 1988, Jay Ramsdell became the youngest Commissioner in the history of professional sports when he assumed the position at the age of 24.[3]

Ramsdell and Deputy Commissioner Jerry Schemmel were on their way from the league headquarters in Denver to the player draft in Columbus, OH on July 19, 1989 when United Airlines Flight 232 crashed at the Sioux City, IA airport after losing all hydraulics. Of the 296 passengers and crew onboard the flight, Jay was among the 112 passengers who lost their lives in the crash.[4]

In 1989, the CBA league championship trophy was named the Jay Ramsdell Trophy to honor his memory.[5]

[edit] References

Schemmel, Jerry Chosen to Live: The Inspiring Story of a Flight 232 Survivor"" (Victory Publishing, 1996)

"Continental Baketball Association, AAA to the NBA: 1985-86 Official Guide & Register", (CBA, 1985)

The CBA Museum


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