A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Jesse Jackson helped pave the way to national prominence for the UAA men’s basketball team in the mid-80s. A freewheeling guard, “J.J.” piloted the 1985-86 and 1986-87 squads to a 45-17 overall record, a conference title and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Great Northwest Conference Player of the Year and a first team All-American in 1987, Jackson left with 17 and still holds seven UAA records, including career scoring average (27.1) and points in a season (813). Jackson often saved his best games for the largest stages, contributing to wins over Missouri, Texas and Washington in the 1985 and 1986 Great Alaska Shootouts, and scoring a school-record 43 points in a February 1986 defeat of rival Seattle Pacific.
Just six months after finishing their playing careers, Jackson (No. 12) and teammate Hansi Gnad (No. 33) became the first Seawolves in any sport to have their numbers retired.
After serving five years in the Marine Corps and earning an associate’s degree from Imperial Valley (Calif.) College in 1985, Jackson transferred to UAA, finishing his bachelor of social work degree in 1990.
He returned to Imperial Valley in 1995, coaching men’s basketball and women’s volleyball there. Since 1997, he has worked as a counselor for the California Department of Corrections in Calipatria.
Jackson and his wife Alyson are the parents of four children – Jesse III, Natasha, Brenna and Ariana.
