The Maui Jim Maui Invitational and KemperLesnik lost a close friend and colleague today when Wayne Duke, who served as Tournament Chairman from 1990 to 2005, passed away at 88 years old. He spent a large part of his retirement years devoted to building the event in Maui.
 
Named to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, Duke was the first employee hired by the NCAA in 1952. He then became commissioner of the Big Eight in 1963, and following served as commissioner of the Big Ten from 1971 to 1989. After serving for years building interest in collegiate basketball as Chairman of the season ending NCAA Basketball Tournament, and upon retirement from the Big Ten, he became Tournament Chairman of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, and was instrumental in helping the Tournament ascend to its position as the nation's premier early-season collegiate tournament.
 
"Wayne Duke was one of the most respected leaders in college athletics, and he was an incredible ambassador for the Maui Jim Maui Invitational during his tenure as Tournament Chairman," said Steve Lesnik, chairman of KemperLesnik, which has operated the Maui Jim Maui Invitational since 1990. "His leadership was invaluable to the game of basketball and we were fortunate to have him as part of our Maui family. As a measure of our respect, we named the coveted championship trophy after Wayne when he retired. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family here in Illinois, who we knew so well, and his many friends around the country in the world of sports and education during this difficult time."