Jack Diesing Sr., who helped transform the College World Series from a poorly attended, money-losing venture to the powerhouse it is today, passed away yesterday at the age of 92.
Jack Diesing Sr., who helped transform the College World Series from a poorly attended, money-losing venture to the powerhouse it is today, passed away yesterday at the age of 92.
Diesing was a manager at the Brandeis department store in 1963 when management of the College World Series fell into his lap. Not a baseball fan, Diesing applied business principles and community participation to the event, turning the money-losing series into a profitable, community-based venture. Along the way he convinced the NCAA to base the tourney in Omaha on a long-term basis (something the NCAA hates to do). His son, Jack Diesing Jr., spearheaded the construction of a new downtown Omaha ballpark for the College World Series.
More from the Omaha World-Herald.
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