NCAA Executive Vice President Tom Jernstedt, former president of USA Basketball, has been selected as the 2009 recipient of the Edward S. Steitz Award.

The Edward S. Steitz Award, presented by USA Basketball, recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to international basketball. Jernstedt received the award during USA Basketball’s annual board of directors dinner Tuesday in Glendale, Arizona.

The award is named in memory of Steitz, the longtime director of athletics at Springfield College, who was recognized worldwide as an authority on the rules of basketball. Steitz was an original architect and a past president of USA Basketball predecessors, the Basketball Federation of the USA (BFUSA) and the Amateur Basketball Association of the United States of America (ABAUSA).

“For over 30 years, Tom’s passion for basketball helped this organization grow from its early days as ABAUSA into a thriving national governing body,” said USA Basketball Executive Director Jim Tooley.

“USA Basketball wouldn’t be where it is today without the valuable contributions it has received over the years from Tom, who has a passion and knowledge of the game that is unsurpassed. We owe a debt of gratitude to Tom for all he has done, and I can’t think of anyone who is as deserving of this prestigious award as he is.”

Jernstedt first became associated with USA Basketball in 1975, serving alongside Steitz as a member of the ABAUSA Council. Jernstedt was vice president for men from 1976-80; a member of the ABAUSA Council/USA Basketball Board from 1980-92, which included the four years of Steitz’s presidency (1981-84); and served another stint as vice president for men from 1992-96. He was USA Basketball’s vice president from 1997-2000 and was the organization’s president from 2001-04.

Jernstedt joined the NCAA staff in 1972. In addition to his NCAA responsibilities, Jernstedt is vice president and a member of the board of directors of the United States-International University Sports Federation. He also is first vice chair and a member of the board of trustees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.