University of Massachusets Athletics
Jackson Named Track & Field Assistant Coach
August 31, 2009 | Men's Track & Field
Aug. 31, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - Former University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assistant coach David Jackson has been named an assistant coach for the UMass track and field programs, it was announced today. Jackson spent the last two years working with the Tar Heels' sprinters, women's pole vault and multi-event athletes, including three All-Americans and four ACC champions.
"We are excited to have David Jackson join the UMass track and field coaching staff," said men's head coach Ken O'Brien. "David brings coaching experience in every technical event area of our sport, coupled with a wide range of administrative skills. He is a perfect fit for the needs of our program."
"Coach Jackson brings a wealth of experience to our staff," said women's head coach Julie LaFreniere. "He is absolutely dedicated to the overall success of our student-athletes from academics to the field."
Prior to his time at UNC, Jackson was the assistant men's and women's track & field coach at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, N.Y., from 2004 to 2007. While at Roberts Wesleyan, he was responsible for working with the teams' sprinters, hurdlers, and relays. Jackson guided three members of the Raiders to NCCAA national titles and coached five NCCAA All-Americans.
Jackson worked as a New York State public high school Section V track & field official from 2001 to 2003 and has also coached for the ACS Track Club and Nichols Academy and Churchville-Chili Sr. High, during his time in Rochester.
A standout discus thrower and sprinter in high school, Jackson went on to compete for Susquehanna University where he received all-conference accolades and earned a trip to the NCAA Division III national championship as a part of the school's 400m relay team in 1994. He graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 1998 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Media Study and went on to earn a Masters of Arts in Organizational Communication from SUNY Brockport in 2000.