James R. "Bud" Jack, athletic director at the University of Utah from 1958-76 and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1965-81, has died at 81.
Jack died Wednesday of causes related to age and diabetes.
Jack, a graduate of Granite High School and the University of Utah, ushered in a women's collegiate athletic program at the university in 1975. He also was instrumental in planning and raising money for the Special Events Center (now the Huntsman Center), dedicated in 1969.
Jack joined the USOC in 1965, serving two four-year terms as the NCAA committee representative.
He was chairman of transportation for four Olympics — Sapporo and Munich in 1972 and Innsbruck and Montreal in 1972. He was appointed chief of the U.S. Mission for the 1980 Moscow Summer Games, which the United States eventually boycotted.
Jack also served as chairman of transportation for the Pan Am Games in 1971 and 1975. He was chairman of food and housing for the World University Games in 1977.
Jack devoted almost three decades to Ute athletics. After serving as manager of student activities at the university from 1946-48, he became athletics ticket and business manager from 1948-52 and assistant athletic director under Jack Curtice from 1952-58.
Jack was instrumental in formation of the Western Athletic Conference in 1962 and served on several conference committees, including chairing the radio and television committee, until his retirement.
Jack served as president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics in 1971-72. He was inducted into the association's hall of fame in 1977. In 1984, he received the James J. Corbett Award, the association's highest honor.
He was inducted into the Utah Sports Foundation Hall of Fame in 1983 and was inducted into Utah's Crimson Club Hall of Fame in 1988. In 1990, he received an Emeritus Alumni Association Merit of Honor from his alma mater.
Jack, born May 6, 1918, was married to Ila Coon Jack for 48 years. She died in 1993. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Mickey (Sharee) Gallivan and Wendy Jack-Alvarado, and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in the Scholarship Room of Rice-Eccles Stadium. Friends may call Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn.