Congratulations to a strong pillar in the BCS community! You are much appreciated for your dedication to the kids and to Lincoln Center. So glad you fulfilled one of your dreams.
Photo by Texas A&M Media Relations
Texas A&M Football
Lance Jackson discusses 30+ year journey to his Aggie Ring, diploma
Key notes from Lance Jackson interview
- This has been a long time in the making. Just to make the long story short, I was actually graduating back then but had some personal issue going on, trying to work, be a father and take some responsibility with my family so I put school on the back burner. When I did return in ’87, I registered for school but the athletic department didn’t know I was registered. Somebody assumed I wasn’t going to class and I was withdrawn from school six weeks later.
- I took another crack at it in the fall of 2000 and just with the nature of my job and the people that I work with, a few people had issues so I just couldn’t finish. I just stayed resolved, I had promised myself way back, that I wasn’t going to leave this community without my degree. Everything lined up in the summer of 2015, so I re-enrolled and my first class with in the fall. First day of class I got out of my truck and going to my first class and broke out in a sweat, had a migraine, but I turned it around and went to class and that first semester was all A’s for me.
- That’s pretty much the story. You kind of go through life and be a part of the community. I was given the opportunity to work for the community and the city of College Station in the parks and recreation department, I think that was always in my DNA. Before I was gearing up to come back to school I went on a journey and went back and talked to people in older parts of my life. I was able to spend some time with my little league coaches and one of my old english teachers, just visiting people who were critical in my life.
- In retrospect I just have a debt of gratitude from me to my high school coaches, Coach Bob McQueen and even my A&M coaches. I got in touch with Coach Sherrill and R.C. to let them know that I will be walking the stage on Friday. I got in touch with Curley Hallman as well, to make sure those guys know how much I appreciated them. We were recruited by Tom Wilson and they were under no obligation to keep us on the team, they could’ve gave us releases but they felt like we could contribute to the team.
- My first day of work with the Lincoln Center was June 1st, 1986. I like to tell people that my first day kids are between the age of 35 and 47. It’s interesting though because their kids came through and then those kids children have come through. It’s been over thousands of kids.
- I would hope that it means a lot to anyone listening, not just kids at the Lincoln Center, that if you haven’t gone and finished your degree to do it, it means a lot. My classmates were wonderful. I hope the kids that have a goal in mind to accomplish go through the process of getting it done.
- I didn’t feel like not having a degree hindered me, obviously, there were blessings in my life and I think that may be attributed to being around here in Aggieland. I think it was more of a burning desire for me. I never quit anything and I’ve always been goal oriented. As an athlete, you have to finish. Whether it’s the game, the set or the rep, you need to finish.
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