Shawn Jackson

Shawn Jackson is in his twelfth year as an assistant coach at his alma mater, coaching Tech in jumps, sprints and hurdles. Not only does he coach those events but he has also made a name as an excellent recruiter.

His recruiting power has definitely shown as plenty of his sprinting recruits helped Tech to back-to-back indoor and outdoor conference championships in 2005 and 2006. For his efforts in 2006, Jackson was named Mideast Region Assistant Coach of the Year as Tech's nationally-renowned relay teams saw success yet again in both indoor and outdoor.

Jackson has also taken on the role as head bowling coach at Tech in 2004 as the sport competed for the first time during the fall.

Jackson was instrumental in Tech's climb to Sun Belt Conference champs back in the 1990's and now is a big part of building Tech into one of the top track and field programs in the Western Athletic Conference and in the country.

Jackson's work can be seen from the recent exploits of his sprinters in the Tech record books. Ten records were broken in the 2004 season with several athletes and events earning national recognition.

The 400 and 1,600-meter relay teams both achieved top 15 rankings while setting school records. Runners such as Donesha Spivey, Nina Gilbert and Latonia Wilson have shown the success of a very good crop of athletes under Jackson's directions.

Jackson also coaches the jumpers and Tech athletes swept the long and triple jump titles on the women's side at the WAC Indoor Championships in 2004. Ayanna Alexander advanced to the NCAA Indoor Championships and earned All-American honors. Alexander also competed at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the triple jump after winning the WAC title during the outdoor season as well.

The 35-year-old, originally from Buffalo, N.Y., ran track for the Bulldogs from 1990-92. After finishing up his career on the track, Jackson completed the required work for his general studies degree in 1994. He also boasts a master's degree in sports science.