Appalachian Athletic Conference - 2007-08 Women's Basketball Player Bio

	Craig Jackson - #
	Craig Jackson - Head Coach The Lady Cavaliers of Montreat College have plenty to be excited about this upcoming season. Montreat’s Athletic Director Jonathan Bennett has recently announced the hiring of Craig Jackson as his new women’s head basketball coach. The Lady Cavs’ new leader, former Head Women’s Basketball Coach at NCAA Div I University of Pacific, is described by former players as one to create a “close-knit” team where individual players “sacrifice self for the team.” When asked about his anticipation to exude that same professional leadership at Montreat, Jackson admitted, “I am extremely excited and grateful to be named the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Montreat College. I am looking forward to building an outstanding program while getting the chance to work with such high caliber student-athletes and staff. Montreat College puts the emphasis on all of the aspects that I think are important in the development of a student-athlete. This philosophy, coupled with the opportunity to be surrounded by quality people in a quality atmosphere makes me very pleased and optimistic about the future of Montreat College Women’s Basketball.” During his tenure at the University of Pacific, Coach Jackson led his Lady Tigers in smashing many program records. Jackson helped guide his Lady Tigers to six consecutive winning seasons, four as an assistant and two as the head coach; a tremendous feat, considering the scheduling of nationally ranked opponents like Texas Tech, Stanford, and University of California- Santa Barbara. His team knocked off nationally ranked UC-Santa Barbara during his tenure and drew record attendances, with nearly 11,000 fans attending 13 home games in one season. Athletic Director Jonathan Bennett recognized very quickly the energy that Jackson would bring to the Montreat women’s basketball program. ”We are blessed to add someone of Craig's character and unparalleled work ethic to our staff. His experience at all levels of basketball coupled with his desire to implement his faith into our program will lay the framework of success for many years to come. I am excited about the direction that our women's basketball program is heading. Craig has brought a new buzz and energy that has started to spread to our players. I look forward to great things as Craig begins the process of building our women's basketball team into a program of consistent excellence both on and off the court,” said Bennett. Prior to taking over as Pacific’s head coach in 2002, Jackson held the position as assistant coach from 1998-2002. And before that, Coach Jackson headed up the women’s program at Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Ore. (1996-98). Craig received his Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science from Williamette University, while competing as a decathlete on the WU track team. He is married to another talented coach and former athlete, Colorado Christian All-American and Hall of Famer, Brooke Jackson. They reside in Greenville, SC.