Preston Jackson '24 Recruiting Profile

My Statement: For as long as I can remember I have had a passion for baseball. I can remember when I was seven years old and I visited my great grandfather in a nursing home. He asked me how I was doing in school and if I was playing any sports? I informed him that I played tennis, basketball, swimming and baseball. I gave him my school grade report but really spent time sharing my experiences playing baseball for Dentsville Baseball League. I learned something special on that day. My great grandfather informed me that when he was a teenager he used to be employed at the Yankee Stadium where his job was to clean the field. He informed me that he was a baseball fan as well. He spoke about listening to the game on the radio instead of watching it on television. He also requested to see my baseball bat. When I showed the bat to him he was impressed with its lightweight. He asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I told him, "I desired to play for a professional baseball team". He enlightened me on that day to focus on "just getting on a team". On that day, I realized that in life you must take one step at a time and how baseballs connects people of all ages. This experience only increased my value and passion for the game. 

As I moved into my middle and high school years, I realized the importance of proper nutrition, muscle endurance and strength, and how injuries can affect the body and an athlete. This knowledge inspired me to want to learn more about sports medicine and the physical therapy profession. In middle school, I joined the GET FIT program and became CPR/First Aid certified. I am confident that playing baseball and my chosen profession are a great fit. My passion continued to grow over the years as I learned my attributes of being quick on my feet, having a strong arm, being persistent in learning the game and the importance of being a team player/leader. With the help of many coaches, staying focused and being ambitious, I have become a better baseball player. During my sophomore year, a specific highlight I remember was when we were in the final game of our Spring season. The opposing team changed the pitcher when I came up in the lineup for the final hit. The opposing coaches strategy was intelligent considering I was less experienced then the senior pitcher. My coach sent me out and I kept my confidence that I would use the knowledge I had obtained from watching him pitch earlier in the game. On that day, I hit a walk-off double which helped my team win the season game. Oh, how excited that day was for me and my team. I learned on that day, challenges will be difficult in the game, in life and I will be put in tight situations but that I must remain focused and committed to the task at hand despite the competition. 

Throughout my life, my parents have raised me in a home environment where religion, education, being true to yourself, commitment and  working hard are valued. They have been great role models for me. By watching them, I have learned the importance of these traits and model them in my everyday life: education, on the field and in my community service.  I am confident that my strong character and talent to compete at the college level will make an immediate impact on your program and the university. I am looking for a college and baseball program that will fit my academic and athlete aspirations. Preston Jackson-2024

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Coach Robert Hendrix: Preston is a hard working student athlete that take pride in what he does. Preston excels in all of his classes and when he needs help he has no problems requesting help. He enjoys baseball and plays on the schools baseball team as well as travel ball. What makes Preston different from other recruits is that Preston is really fast and athletic and has lots of energy when playing the game of baseball. Preston desires to play collegiate baseball as well as obtaining a degree in physical therapy.