Cecil Jackson '51

Bio

A player and a coach on College Hill, Cecil Jackson was a big part of the Juniata and Huntingdon community since graduating from the College in 1951. He was a two-year member of the Juniata football team, and then served as an assistant coach in his final season. As a sophomore tackle he was an honorable mention All-State choice on the gridiron. Then as a junior he became the first Juniata footballer to earn Little All-America honors as he was selected for the third team. He was a key component of the football teams that began Juniata’s post-war turnaround towards the dominant teams of the 1950s. He also earned a pair of letters as a member of the Juniata track and field teams. Following graduation, he became a staple of the local sports community as both a coach and a friend. He served for more than two decades as the head track and field coach at Huntingdon High School and also worked as an assistant coach for the Bearcat football and wrestling squads. In 1976 he became the director of athletics for Huntingdon High School, a post he would hold until 1986. He continued to support Juniata athletics throughout his life including seeing his son, Steve, serve as an assistant coach for the Juniata football squad. Another son, Stu, was an All-Conference lineman for the Juniata football team, while a third son, Tim, competed as a wrestler on College Hill. He was inducted into the Huntingdon County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999, a member of the second class to be chosen for the distinguished honor.