Jan. 28, 2005
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The story was written by Arya Ahmadi, contributor to The Shorthorn, the student newspaper of the University of Texas at Arlington. To see more stories from The Shorthorn click here)
Whenever times get tough, track athlete Kelley Jackson looks at his arm and remembers what his grandmother said.
"Never give up."
Jackson has his grandmother's name, Leona, tattooed on his right arm and has used her words as motivation since he was 8 years old.
Growing up an only child in Baltimore with a single mom, Jackson is no stranger to adversity. He credits her, and athletics, for keeping him on the right track.
"My mom is my heart," he said. "She was always there for me and made sure I kept out of trouble."
Jackson began competing as a football player for Mergenthaler Vo-Tech High School. Realizing his talents might be better served elsewhere, coaches convinced him to make the jump to track and field, where he specialized in shot put and discus.
"When I first got out there throwing a ball, I thought it was kind of funny, but I stuck with it," he said. "I told [the coaches] my freshman year that by my senior year, I'm going to win state for you."
Jackson delivered on his promise by winning the state title in shot put. His success earned him a scholarship to Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kan., the National Junior College champions in track and field at the time. His first year, he finished second at the NJCAA Indoor Championships and received All-American honors in 2004.
After Jackson completed his associate degree in art, he became a hot prospect around the country. That's when head coach John Sauerhage invited him to UTA.
"I came down to visit the campus during the spring, and I loved it," Jackson said. "I spent some time around a couple athletes, and I wanted to be a part of the program. It feels like a family here."
Jackson quickly earned the distinction of being team comedian, but said he knows when it's time to get serious. He thinks sometimes his playful demeanor can be a hindrance but said "you don't have to say a word" to lead by example.
"I love to have fun. I might get on people's nerves because sometimes I play too much," he said. "When I'm on the field though, all jokes are off."
Jackson was sidelined two weeks into the fall semester after straining his hamstring during practice. He feared the possibility of having to sit out the whole season.
He used the fear to push himself, rehabbing two times a day for more than a month. He said thanks to the coaches, he's now in the best shape of his life. At 6'2, 275 pounds, Jackson bench presses 350 pounds, 55 pounds more than when he arrived.
Throwing coach Wayne Cunnings said the injury was a setback for Jackson but that he proved he had the strength to overcome it.
"He's a real talent, he has the physical ability to be a competitor on a national level," he said.
Jackson has been unstoppable since the season started, propelling UTA to a 109-108 victory over Oklahoma University with two first-place finishes last weekend.
He was named Southland Conference Track-and-Field Athlete of the Week on Tuesday. Jackson said he wasn't aware of the award until coaches informed him later that day.
Jackson now sets his sights on Houston, the site of the Southland Conference Championships. He said Sauerhage motivates the squad by showing them his conference rings and telling them it takes dedication and desire to obtain one.
"I want to be able to walk past coach next season and show him my ring," Jackson said. "If I keep myself healthy, in shape and ready to compete, I don't have to worry."
Jackson, a criminal justice junior, said after he's done tearing up UTA records he plans to "get paid to kick down doors" as an FBI agent.
He knows, though, no matter what, his grandmother is never far away.
