Paul Jackson had a passion for coaching.

While a majority of his coaching career was at the high school level, Jackson enjoyed an impressive stint on the sidelines with the SC4 women’s basketball team.

In just four seasons with the women’s basketball program, Jackson guided the Skippers to three consecutive MCCAA Eastern Conference championships – 1991-92, 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.

Jackson spent the 1988-89 season as an assistant coach under SC4 coach Dave Seddon. When Seddon headed to Yale for a teaching/coaching position, Jackson took over the program.

Jackson’s career was cut short as he passed away in the summer of 1994.

Many of the returning players and Jackson’s incoming freshmen not only kept the title streak alive but reached the 1994-95 NJCAA Nationals before falling in triple overtime.
 
“Playing for Paul Jackson was a wonderful experience for me as an athlete,” said Casie (Roberts) Parlardg. “In comparison to the experience as a high school athlete, his coaching style was dramatically different. Coach Jackson was harmonious, succinct and direct while at the helm on the floor.

“He was the perfect combination of calm yet tenacious; being as hard as nails when he needed to be. It made playing for him easy and enjoyable. His players worked as hard for him as he did for us.”

The Skippers captured their first of seven consecutive Michigan Community College Athletic Association Eastern Conference titles during the 1991-92 season.

Jackson’s oldest daughter, Lynn Sampier, served as an assistant coach. His brothers – George and Dick – also were involved. Dick served as an assistant coach and George handled the game filming, team stats and scouting.

“I remember going all over the state to scout games with Paul,” Dick Jackson said. “He did a good job of recruiting girls from around the area. He didn’t go into the big cities and go after big-time players. He would get girls from Port Huron High, Port Huron Northern, St. Clair, Marysville and of course up in the Thumb.

“We was a real father figure to those players. He cared about them and made sure they were happy. I really respected him for that.”

The 1960 Marysville graduate started his coaching career at Mayville High School. He coached at Croswell-Lexington High School before landing in Marysville.

While at Marysville, Jackson coached the varsity girls basketball team (MHSAA fall sport at the time) before heading to SC4 during the winter months. He began with the Skippers for the 1989-90 season.

Jackson not only earned All-St. Clair Area League honors, but also All-Blue Water Area honors in football, basketball, baseball and track during his playing career at Marysville. Jackson enjoyed playing golf and fast-pitch softball. Paul played second base for many years and Dick was the team catcher.