For Immediate Release:
29 April 2026              
                     
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced on Wednesday that former Dean College Director of Athletics John Jackson will be inducted into their 2026 Hall of Fame class.

Jackson, along with the rest of this year's class, will be honored in conjunction with the 61st Annual NACDA & Affiliates Convention at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, at the beginning of the Association-Wide Featured Session on Monday, June 8, starting at 4 p.m. local time. Hotel and Convention registration for #NACDA26 is now live. Visit nacda.com/convention for more information.

After serving for nearly thirty years, John Jackson helped shape Dean Athletics into what it is today. During his time with the Bulldogs (1988-2016), Jackson built one of the largest varsity programs of all two-year institutions in New England, and one of the few that included football.

Towards the end of his tenure at Dean, Jackson was inducted into the College's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015, marking just the second time that a Director of Athletics was inducted. The College itself has also honored Jackson's commitment, renaming the court inside of Pieri Gymnasium after him. In 2016, they then established the John A. Jackson Sportsmanship Award, given annually to the student-athlete who best demonstrates the qualities of sportsmanship.

Outside of Dean's doors, Jackson exemplified his commitment to both the collegiate community and its beloved partners. Notable roles he served include NJCAA Region XXI Women's Regional Director (1994-2001), Region XXI Men's Regional Director (2001-15), and served as chair for Standards and Ethics, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer and Women's Soccer Committees.

Jackson also served as a NACDA Executive Committee member from 2002-06 and served as NATYCAA President for the 2002-03 academic year.

A three-time NACDA Athletics Director of the Year (ADOY) recipient, Jackson was recognized in 2001-02, 2009-10 and 2013-14. In 2010, he received the NATYCAA L. William Miller Award, which recognizes a member of NATYCAA who demonstrates excellence in leadership, service and integrity in an athletics program at a two-year college or organization.

Jackson was inducted into the NATYCAA Hall of Fame in 2018. Prior to his career in administration, Jackson coached men's basketball and softball and was elected to the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

A graduate of SUNY Cortland, Jackson tirelessly served the NJCAA mission of striving for athletics and academic excellence for all its members. His commitment to both the institution and its athletes will forever be honored by the Dean College community.

FULL NACDA RELEASE

For Media Inquiries:
Brett Chaves
Sports Information Director, Dean College Athletics
(508) 541-1826
BChaves@dean.edu