MCC TRACK & FIELD TO HOST INAUGURAL CARVEL JACKSON MEMORIAL TRACK & FIELD SHOWCASE
Mesa Community College Track & Field will honor one of the most influential figures in program history this weekend, hosting the inaugural Carvel Jackson Memorial Track & Field Showcase on Saturday, March 28 at John D. Riggs Stadium.
The meet recognizes the lasting legacy of Carvel Jackson, whose impact on MCC Track & Field helped establish the program as one of the premier junior college programs in the nation. As part of the event, a ceremony honoring Jackson's legacy will take place at 4 p.m. prior to the start of the running events.
Jackson's resume over his 29 year tenure at Mesa is unmatched. From 1969 to 1975, he led the Thunderbirds to six national championships, setting the foundation for sustained national success. His teams produced 89 All-Americans, and notably, he coached a national champion in every track and field event a testament to both the depth and versatility of his program.
His dominance extended beyond championship performances. Jackson compiled a remarkable 114-5 dual meet record, a 96% winning percentage that underscores the consistency of excellence during his tenure. His success earned him NJCAA Coach of the Year honors twice.
But beyond the accolades, Jackson's impact was rooted in how he approached people.
"He cared more about people than he did results, and he loved results," his son, Scott Jackson, said, noting that as great of a coach as he was, he would have preferred to be remembered first as a father and husband, "because he was a better father and a better husband."
That caring first approach carried directly into his coaching. In one defining moment at a national meet, a key athlete fouled out of the long jump, costing the team valuable points that would have widened their margin in the national title race. Rather than respond with frustration, Jackson shifted his focus to preparing the athlete for the triple jump.
"Why would I tear him down when I still need him?" Jackson told fellow coaches at the time who were imploring Jackson to lay into the athlete to drive home his mistake.
The athlete responded with a personal best performance, helping secure a national title - a moment that reflected Jackson's philosophy of building athletes up rather than breaking them down.
His influence extended beyond competition and into everyday life. Scott recalled a moment that highlighted both his father's faith and awareness. Before backing his truck out of the driveway, Jackson felt prompted to stop and check behind the vehicle. When he did, he found his young daughter standing directly behind it a moment that likely prevented tragedy.
That same calm, thoughtful approach defined him as a father and mentor.
"He fathered and coached people up, not down," Scott said.
Jackson's influence also shaped those around him, including longtime MCC Athletics figure Tom Bennett, who noted his natural ability to lead in all aspects of life, even in the smallest moments.
Beyond coaching, Jackson played a critical role in shaping MCC Athletics as a whole. As Athletic Director, he helped oversee the construction of the Health Improvement Center, working with campus leadership and the community to raise $350,000 in donations to bring the facility to life.
His career impact extended beyond Mesa. He built championship programs at Westwood High School, coached internationally with United States teams, earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from Utah State University, and was inducted twice into the City of Mesa Sports Hall of Fame.
Still, for his family, the recognition goes beyond accomplishments - it reflects the kind of man he was.
"He wouldn't have asked for something like this," Scott said. "But his name lasting this long… that's because of how he treated people."
Scott also reflected on what defined his father most, not the championships, but his priorities.
"He was a man of God, family, and friends before track success, and he had a lot of track success," he said.
Saturday's showcase serves as more than a tribute. It is a continuation of a standard, one built on leadership, humility, and a commitment to others.
More than two decades after his passing, Carvel Jackson's legacy remains exactly where he left it, not just in records or championships, but in the people he impacted, the program he built, and the standard that still defines Mesa Community College Track & Field today.