If you're a member of the Julian High School basketball team you're very serious about the game. Each morning at 6:30 before school you meet coach Loren Jackson for practice ... and again at four after class. "I thought that it was time for someone young as I was back a couple of years ago to step in and help other young people to understand that by being a student athlete you are able to maybe make a difference," said Loren Jackson, Julian Basketball coach.
A Special-Ed teacher and basketball coach, Jackson is busy in the class room and on the court never hinting he is legally blind.
"My players, when they first come in, don't think I see very much but I see everything," said Jackson. "Sometimes I can't see the faces of actual players but I have good assistants and our kids are pretty honest."
"When we look at him we see a model of what I think all teachers should be about ... and that is teaching children," said Dr. William Harris, Julian Principal.
Legally blind or not, as he was growing up, Loren Jackson excelled in every sport he played ... whether in high school or in college.
"It's always baffled me but he's always been able to perform and excel. It's made both my ex-wife and me very proud of him," said Armand Jackson, Loren's dad.
To the players he seems to see their every move.
"You know he's legally blind? I don't think he is ... I know that's what everybody says ... but I don't think it's true," said James Watson, ball player.
"Coach Jackson is a great guy ... he's mentor as well as a coach," said Donell Ausley, ball player.
"I wish to God that people knew that the reason that there is basketball here now at Julian High School is coach Jackson and these kids put on their hard hats everyday just to go to work. We work very hard at it and I love what I do," said Coach Jackson.
In The News - Continued ...
