COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Jimmy Disbrow, past president of the U.S. Figure Skating Association and co-founder of the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant chain, has died. He was 54.

Disbrow died Wednesday after a four-year battle with brain cancer, the USFSA said in a written statement.

"His passionate love of the sport, his strong commitment to the athletes, as well as his exuberant personality, will long be remembered by a wide circle of skating friends,'' said Phyllis Howard, who replaced Disbrow as president of the USFSA.

"Jimmy's spirit will always remain a part of this association.''

Disbrow was elected president of the USFSA in May 1998 after serving as the organization's Midwestern vice president and chairman of the international committee. He also was chairman of the 1998 World Figure Skating Championships in Minneapolis, his hometown.

As a skater, Disbrow competed in both singles and pairs. He was the U.S. men's junior silver medalist in 1966, and was second in junior pairs the following year with partner Katie Walker.

He became a national-level judge after his competitive career, and was chief referee at the 1994 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit.

Disbrow and Scott Lowery founded Buffalo Wild Wings -- then known as BW-3 -- in Columbus, Ohio, in 1982. Disbrow was president and chief executive officer of the company until 1994, and was still chairman when he died.

Disbrow is survived by his wife, Dede, and two children, Carl and Devon Hensel. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Edina, Minn.