Dean AD John Jackson nets awards

 

                Franklin, MA – July 9, 2010 – John Jackson, Director of Athletics at Dean College, has been named the Under Armor Athletic Director of the Year for the Northeast Region by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). Jackson received the award at the NACDA Annual convention in Anaheim, California this week.

                Jackson has served more than 25 years at Dean College, overseeing a quality athletics program characterized by its competitive athletics teams who have garnered 21 regional titles. Dean College boasts the only junior college football program in New England, a squad that has won an unprecedented three consecutive league titles and participated in bowl games during the past two seasons. 

                The NACDA organization recognized Jackson because “he consistently puts quality players and citizens on the playing fields who exhibit outstanding sportsmanship.”

                 “John Jackson has been a leader at Dean College for more than 25 years,” said Cindy Kozil, Vice President of Student Development and Retention at Dean College.  “He has earned the respect and admiration of students, coaches, faculty and staff,” said Ms. Kozil.  “He is the embodiment of “The Dean Difference” offering a balance of support and challenge to develop young athletes mentally and physically.  We see this all the time, especially with the strong relationships he has maintained with the many alumni he has coached over the years.”

                Jackson has had numerous roles in addition to his responsibility as Dean’s athletic director. He currently serves as the regional director for Region XXI (New England) of the NJCAA where he oversees seventeen colleges in New England. He is also commissioner of the Northeast Football Conference and the Region XXI service bureau director. Jackson has also chaired several other NJCAA national committees, including Division I men’s and women’s soccer and serves on the NATYCAA (National Association of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators) Executive committee.

                Earlier this year, Jackson was also awarded the L. William Miller Award, the highest award given by NATYCAA. He was presented the award in Anaheim, California.

                Last year, Jackson was also inducted in the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Jackson has been very involved in community sports, particularly in Wrentham, where he resides with his family.

                “Before the program’s inception, our Honors and Awards Committee recognized a need for an award such as the AD of the year,” said NACDA Executive Director Mike Cleary who oversaw the implementation of the program to allow all NACDA Officers and Honors and Awards Committee members to participate in the awards process should they be elected. “The program brings to light the exceptional jobs done by athletic directors across the country. The winners exemplify that, providing us with a group of outstanding athletic directors who excel at their jobs.”

                All NACD member directors of athletics from the United States, Canada and Mexico who met the criteria were eligible for the award. The criteria included that the ADs had served for a minimum of five academic years; had demonstrated commitment to higher education and student athletes; had continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence and the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments. Additionally, each AD’s institution must have passed a compliance check through its appropriate governing body (i.e. NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, etc.) in which the institution could not have been on probation or cited for a lack of institutional control within the last five years during the tenure of the current AD.

 

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