Missouri Southern State University - Crossroads Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

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(Clockwise from upper left) Senior fullback Keith Chambers is treated by members of the athletic training staff after sus¬ taining a serious knee injury in the Homecoming contest. Defensive coordinator Rod Giesselmann plots strategy. Volleyball coach Pat Lipira attempts to motivate the Lady Lions during a break from action. The Lion mascot was pre¬ sent at all home games. — Photos by Allen Stinebrook Athletics ★

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(Clockwise from upper left) John Thomas, who was a basketball star at Missouri Southern in the early 1970s, is inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming festivities. The Kappa Alpha cannon celebrates a Lions touchdown. Senior tailback Mark Perry gains yardage against Emporia State. Highlights from Southerns 1985 soccer season. — Photos by Allen Stinebrook and Mike Hines Athletics ★

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(Right) Terron Jackson talks with Glenn Dolence during a • Homecoming reception. (Far right) Jackson and John Thomas reminisce at the Homecoming foot¬ ball game. (Below) Jackson is in¬ terviewed for an edition of “Southern Perspective — Photos by Allen Stinebrook Jackson joins Athletic Hall of Fame In the modest trophy case located in the lobby of Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium is a small picture of Terron Jackson. Jackson led the football Lions to the NAIA National Championship in 1972, and was selected to the All-American first team that year. Jackson, now 37, is quality control manager for IBM’s National Accounts Divi¬ sion at White Plains, N.Y. In 1985 Jackson was inducted into the Missouri Southern Athletic Hall of Fame. “It was a bit of a shock,” said Jackson. “To be inducted into something like this is the pinnacle of an individual’s career.” Jackson came to Southern in 1968 while working for IBM and taking night classes. In 1970, he took an educational leave from IBM and became a full-time student and of¬ fensive tackle at Southern. “I looked around to several places to see where I could get into a good computer science program,” said Jackson, “and that is mainly why I went to Southern. “The athletes lived in the trailer down by the Barn Theatre,” he said. “Those were bare-boned facilities. “When I look back on it, I’d say that the education was excellent,” he said. “I really think that I came out ahead. “I can remember burning a lot of the mid¬ night oil trying to get my programs accep¬ table for Dr. [John] Cragin.” Said Cragin, “He didn’t expect special treatment because of his athletic prowess. He just did his job.” College President Julio Leon remembers Jackson as a student who was particularly interested in doing well on and off the foot¬ ball field. “He was just one of those students who excelled at everything,” said Leon. Jackson graduated in the summer of 1973 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and an associate degree in computer science. He was drafted that year by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League, and attended their summer camp in Scott¬ sdale, Ariz. “I signed a contract that seems like peanuts today,” said Jackson. “It was only for about $17,000.” Jackson was placed on an injury waiver when his foot was stepped on by another player who was wearing metal cleats. “I came back to the point where I could play,” said Jackson, “but 1 decided to go to work for IBM, and I never looked back. “You always say, ‘I could’ve played, and done well,’ but I still look at it today and say I made the right decision.” Currently, Jackson is living in Weston, Conn., with his wife, Mary, formerly Mary Gant of Joplin; his daughter, Tahnee, and his son, Tony, who is the No. 1 ranked high school basketball player in Connecticut. “He was born in Joplin in 1968,” said Jackson. “Now, he’s being recruited by six major universities.” Those universities include Notre Dame, Wake Forest, and Boston College. “He’s doing pretty good,” said Jackson, “but, the key thing is to get a good educa¬ tion.” Jackson has been employed by IBM for 17 years. “It takes a lot of time to do a good job,” he said. Jackson said he was surprised when he learned that he would be inducted into Southern’s Athletic Hall of Fame. “I’ll have it for the rest of my life,” said Jackson. “Nobody can ever take that away from me.” Jackson ★