The Basketball HOF inducted its Class of '17 on Friday, which honored 11 "basketball greats," including late Bulls GM Jerry Krause and former NCAA exec Tom Jernstedt, according to Pat Eaton-Robb of the AP. Jernstedt was "credited with overseeing the growth" of the D-I men's tournament and the "creation of the women's tournament." He said that he is "impressed with what this class has meant to the sport." Jernstedt: "Hopefully now, more people will understand that and reach out and learn more about them" (AP, 9/9). Jernstedt was honored by SBJ/SBD in '15 as part its Champions class (THE DAILY). In Chicago, K.C. Johnson writes Krause "finally received proper recognition for building two separate three-peat teams around Michael Jordan, whom he inherited, and Scottie Pippen, whom he acquired in one of his signature moves" in '87. Bulls Chair Jerry Reinsdorf, who served as Krause's official presenter, said, "He was really two things. He was an executive and a scout." He added, "He loved to make the unpopular decision" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/9). Notre Dame women's coach Muffet McGraw said that part of the success seen by her and ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo was "due to opportunities afforded by efforts to promote equality in college sports." McGraw: "I'm grateful to Title IX." Lobo said that the example players in the WNBA can set for her children "make the league even more meaningful" (MASSLIVE.com, 9/8).
