Jackson rejuvenating youth football in McDowell

WELCH — Now that William Jackson’s football career is over, he wants new generations of McDowell County children to benefit from the sport.

Jackson, 23, played football at Mount View High School and at West Virginia State University, from which he graduated in May. He’s now the point man for efforts to revive youth football in his hometown area.

He said, “I was working at the rec center in Charleston, and while I was working up there, I saw the difference in the kids’ environment (when they had) a lot of things to do, playing sports.”

“I decided, once I graduated from West Virginia State, I was going to bring it back to my hometown — because my hometown brought me to where I am today.”

“That was the main reason why I wanted to do it, to give back what they gave me.”

Today he is a case worker for the McDowell County Day Report Center, operating out of an office across the street from the county courthouse in downtown Welch.

On April 1, he will bring together people interested in youth football for a 6 p.m. meeting at Mount View. If all goes as he hopes, that will be followed by a 3-to-5-day camp in early June, and actual games starting in August.

“It popped into my mind about four months ago,” he said on Friday. “I didn’t really know where to go, all the right steps. But I knew it was something I definitely wanted. So I made some calls, searched around. And now, we’re on the verge of getting this back, ready to go.”

There is a midget league in the Iaeger area, Jackson said, but he has identified needs in the other areas of the county.

“For all the towns and cities that are not playing in the Iaeger league, we’re offering our hand to help,” he said.

He has visited Kimball and Welch elementary schools and “definitely” plans to get to Fall River and Anawalt elementaries prior to April 1.

“We’re going to go to different schools,” he said. “We’re going to go back, and keep this energy going for them.”

He spoke of “a huge turnout” at Kimball, and said he already has 140 children who have signed up to play. He envisions a flag football league for 5-year-olds; a Pop Warner League for children 6-8; and a Midget League for ages 9-12.

The goal is much more than exercise and winning trophies. Jackson said, “First of all, athletics can bring leadership. It can (build) strong will, hard work and a good attitude.”

As a child growing up in Gilliam, up a hollow near Northfork, he recalled, “We had a midget (football) league — however, I didn’t play in it at the time. I thought I was a basketball guy.

“But I got bigger, and then I started playing (football) once I got into middle school. It really helped me out in life a whole lot. It got me to where I am today.”

He recalled middle school coaches such as Robert “Bubba” Smith in football, and basketball coach Kenny Brown. Smith “taught some great lessons, and (he had) a lot of funny stories,” Jackson said, smiling.

When he returned from college, he found a vacuum in sports for youth had existed for several years.

“So we want to come in, and bring new people on the board,” he said. “We want to change the whole process. We want to make it more exciting for the kids, more fun and entertaining — not only for the kids, but for the community as well. We want them to have something to come back and watch as well.”

Jackson came back to his home county after playing football for four years (2005-08) for the Yellow Jackets at State as a 225-pound defensive end. He walked on his freshman year, and “I just worked my way on up the ladder,” he said.

Finally, some scholarship money came his way. “After my second year, I was able to get just a little bit of money. Then, my third and fourth, I was pretty much on my way.”

He said, “My first season was a rough season. We were 2-9. But every year after that, we progressed — 5-6, 7-3 and 7-3.”

“It was a great learning experience, a great opportunity. I recommend for anyone who can play college ball to definitely look into it.”

That goes for a college education in general, he said.

“A college degree means everything,” he said. “Once you receive that college degree, you have more opportunities to find jobs, to better yourself as well as your family. And most importantly, you get to choose a career that you enjoy doing, for a living.”

“My job right now, in Day Report, I never ‘work’ a day,” he said. “It’s something I enjoy doing. ... This is definitely the job I went to school for. I couldn’t hope for a better job.”

In his job as a case manager, he said, “We do drug counseling. We help people get back on the right track. We also help people who have been in trouble with the law. ... But we see hope in these guys.”

Jackson said such a career “was always interesting to me. Growing up, I liked to watch a lot of cop shows. Then, once I got out of school, I found I’m not a police officer, but I’m more of a counselor. I like to help people.”

“That’s why I chose this profession, to help people.”

Now Jackson is asking for help to get the youth football effort rolling.

Mount View football coach Leon Gravely “has been a strong supporter of it,” Jackson said. “I’m very thankful to have his help.”

Others who have assisted Jackson include Floyd Anderson and Frances Hale, who works for the county commission. Jackson said his father, Taylor Jackson, will be treasurer for the group.

“We’re going to have support from the community,” he said. “I talked to (county commissioner) Gordon Lambert a while back. ... I’ve talked to a variety of people. Judge (Booker T.) Stephens said that he would help out in any way.

“We’re trying to see if a few churches will help us out. We’re just searching for anything that can be beneficial to build the youth of McDowell County up.”

West Virginia State defensive coordinator William King will attend the June camp along with other college football coaches, Jackson said. “They will all be providing positive influences,” he said.

There are hurdles yet to overcome. Sites for the games are still to be finalized. Then there’s the issue of money.

“We’re trying to get a grant. We’re still in the process of that,” Jackson said. “But a lot of it is going to be from the community. We’re depending on the community to help us out, tremendously. And I believe they will.”

“That’s why we’re having that big meeting April 1, so we can stress the importance of this for McDowell. ... We’re looking forward to having a huge turnout.”

More information is available by calling (304) 862-4900. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 925, Northfork, WV 24868. Jackson said the group is in the process of registering as a non-profit organization.

— Contact Tom Bone at

tbone@bdtonline.com

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