Jack Krumpe

Krumpe was born on January 26, 1936, on Staten Island.^[1] He graduated from Curtis High School and Dartmouth College, where he majored in history and was a member of the football, basketball, rugby, and baseball teams. In 1959 he graduated from the New York University School of Business. Krumpe began his business career with Union Carbide, however, he soon left to join the New York Racing Association's accounting department.^[2]

In 1960, Krumpe joined the New York Racing Association as an accountant. He rose through the organization, as assistant director and later director of mutuels, vice president of mutuel operations, comptroller, and vice president in charge of operations. On July 13, 1972, he was named president of the NYRA, succeeding Frank M. Basil.^[2] He resigned as president on April 26, 1974, stating that the job was "no longer fun".^[3] He later added that he was frustrated with the state bureaucracy, which he believed had "no long term solutions to racing's problems".^[4]

On May 21, 1974, Krumpe was named CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The NJSEA oversaw the construction of the Meadowlands Sports Complex, which was to consist of a new football stadium for the New York Giants and a horse racing track. NJSEA Chairman Sonny Werblin called Krumpe "the top sports administrator in the United States, next to Pete Rozelle" and called Krumpe's hiring "my happiest announcement since the signing of Joe Namath".^[4]