Raymond M. Jackson (2011) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Raymond M. Jackson

Induction:
2011
Class:
1984

1979-92
Distance Runner
19010

A versatile athlete, Ray Jackson lettered in cross country from 1979-82, and three years in track, 1980, 1982, and 1983.

Jackson was voted UA’s most valuable runner all four years as the cross country team recorded 227 wins and 86 losses.

During his freshman season, Jackson quickly became UA’s number one runner, a position he held until Hall of Famer Jim Luth took over in 1982. Jackson, who finished ninth, led the ‘79 Zip harriers to a third-place finish at the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional that qualified UA for the national championship in Riverside, Calif. At the nationals, Jackson again paced the Zips with a 26th-place finish, 16 seconds from being an All-American.

During his junior season, Jackson established a new Goodyear Metropolitan Park record of 30:32 over the 10,000-meter course.

In `982, Jackson finished fourth to help the Zips capture the school’s first All-Ohio Valley Conference Championship and he was awarded First-Team All-OVC honors.