Jay Ramsdell

Jay L. Ramsdell Jr. (January 30, 1964 – July 19, 1989) was the commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), a professional men's basketball league in the United States, from 1988 until his death.

Early life Ramsdell was born on January 30, 1964, in Bar Harbor, Maine, to Jay Sr. and Linda Ramsdell. He attended Mount Desert Island High School.

With the resignation of commissioner Mike Storen in 1988, Ramsdell became the youngest commissioner in the history of professional sports when he assumed the position at the age of 24.

Death and legacy

Ramsdell and deputy commissioner Jerry Schemmel were aboard United Airlines Flight 232 on July 19, 1989, as they traveled from league headquarters in Denver to the player draft in Columbus, Ohio. The plane crash-landed in Sioux City, Iowa, after losing all hydraulics. Ramsdell was among the 112 passengers who were killed, while Schemmel survived.

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