Hall of Fame
New York City Native Don Jackson '73CC '80BUS came to Columbia with impressive credentials – all city status and team MVP at Stuyvesant High School… and an offer to play football at Notre Dame.
But Jackson stayed close to home – and enrolled at Columbia.
In an era when first year players were ineligible for the varsity, the former Peg Leg made an immediate splash on the freshman team – forging a connection with receiver Jesse Parks that would become a focal point for the Lions over the next three years.
In his first year on the varsity in 1970, Jackson – considered by some to be the best sophomore QB in the nation –led The Ivy League in touchdown passes… and he was just getting started.
As a junior, Jackson helmed Columbia to one of its best seasons on the gridiron, leading the Ivies in most every passing category en route to a 5-2 league record. Despite missing nearly 2 games with knee injuries, Jackson was the offensive spark all year long – with nearly perfect passing in an upset win over Princeton, and setting up the game winning field goal against Dartmouth with a gutsy 6 yard run late in the 4th quarter. After an incredible season, Jackson was named first team all-ivy league
By the time his Columbia career was complete, Jackson had become the first Lion ever to throw for more than 1000 yards in a season for three straight years… and when he left Alma Mater he was in the Columbia record book with the 2nd most touchdown passes and the 3rd most yards in school history.
