Jack Kaiser, a founding father of the Big East Conference and former St. John’s University baseball coach and Director of Athletics, has held many prestigious positions throughout his career, including President of the NIT Committee and a member of the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA). Kaiser is also a member of the St. John’s University Athletic, Basketball Old Timers of America, New York City Basketball and American Baseball Coaches Association Halls of Fame.
A standout student-athlete for St. John’s on the baseball diamond, Kaiser led the program to a College World Series appearance in 1949 before beginning his Hall of Fame 18-year head coaching career in 1956. He posted a 367-133-2 record and led the baseball program to 11 postseason appearances, including three College World Series trips in 1960, 1966 and 1968. Following his coaching career, Kaiser served as the Athletic Director at St. John's from 1973-95 and was instrumental in the formation of the BIG EAST Conference. In his first year as Athletic Director, Kaiser became President of the NIT Committee and held the position until 1988. Kaiser remained a member of the NIT Committee until 1995 before becoming a consultant for both the preseason and postseason events.
The inaugural recipient of the Joe Lapchick Leadership Appreciation Award in 2009, Kaiser helped foster the Joe Lapchick Character Awards Program to recognize basketball coaches who have shown character traits and coaching skills of the Hall of Famer. In addition to his career accomplishments, Kaiser was presented with the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Administrator of the Year Award in 1994, the James Lynah Distinguished Achievement Award in 1996, and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Madison Square Garden Holiday Festival presented by the ECAC.