Pacific University Athletics

Brian Jackson Named Director Of Tennis

5/29/2012 4:48:00 PM

 
Director of Athletics Ken Schumann named Jackson as the school's director of tennis last week.  In his new role, Jackson will be head coach of both the men's and women's tennis teams.  Jackson replaces Sarah Ansboury, who departed earlier in the month after two years as head women's tennis coach.
 
“Brian has done an exceptional job turning around our men's tennis program and making it a contender for the conference title,” Schumann said.  “I have every confidence that Brian will be successful in leading our talented women's program while maintaining a high level of success in our men's program.”
 
Jackson said he is excited to begin work with the women's program, building upon the success he has experienced as the men's head coach.  After winning just one match in his first season, Jackson led the 2012 Pacific men to a 13-6 overall record and a second place finish the Northwest Conference with an impressive 11-1 regular season.  The Boxers also finished with a No. 11 NCAA Division III west regional ranking.
 
“Over the last few years, the men's program has developed a strong recipe for success while the women's program has struggled to find a consistent winning formula,” Jackson said.  “My goal is to develop a successful tennis program at Pacific University, rather than two individual teams.  My assistant coaches and I will provide the women's program with the time and attention it deserves to reach its potential, while assuring the men's program continues on it's charge towards a conference title.

"Our long-term goal is to have the best tennis program in the Northwest Conference, with both teams competing for conference titles every year.  With the great support we are receiving from the University and community, I believe we have the potential to do just that."
 
The Pacific women have experienced individual success over that time.  The Boxers advanced to their first NWC Tournament in four years in 2009 and the team just missed the four-team tourney this year as they finished with a 7-10 overall record and 6-6 NWC mark.  The team's two departing seniors, Cathlene Goya and Megan Yoshimoto, were both four-time All-Northwest Conference selections.  Goya became the first four-time First Team All-NWC selection in the history of the program.
 
“This year's graduating seniors achieved a great deal of success and did such a wonderful job of putting this program on the map,” Jackson said.  “Although anyone in my position would love to have a couple more years with them, I am excited to help our young players follow in their footsteps while developing their own identity.”
 
While adding his new tennis duties, Jackson will continue to work as an associate professor in Pacific's exercise science department, but with a reduced teaching load.
 
A former Division I tennis player, Jackson's wealth of experience has been a valuable commodity for Pacific tennis.  A four-year player at UNC Wilmington, Jackson was the team captain in 1996-97 and was named as the team's most valuable player.  After graduation, Jackson spent two seasons as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs at East Carolina while pursuing his master's degree.  Jackson has professional teaching certification through the U.S. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and has taught professionally for a number of years.
 
Jackson earned his undergraduate degree from UNC Wilmington, his master's degree from East Carolina and a doctorate in kinesiology, specializing in motor behavior and sport psychology, from the University of Virginia.  He has published and presented on various aspects of motor behavior and has consulted with teams and athletes in the areas of peak performance.