Because West Hempstead High School did not offer varsity wrestling, Don Jackson took up cross-country and track, both of which he continued at Colgate University.

At Colgate, however, being introduced to wrestling in a physical education class was all Don needed. While doing graduate work at Springfield College, wrestling courses taught by Coach Ray Sparks convinced Don that he had found his life’s work. Don never thought that his late start was a liability; instead this circumstance made him receptive to techniques and styles absorbed from other great coaches beginning with Coach Sparks.

With a Springfield master's degree in hand, Don enlisted in the Navy Reserves and served two years of active duty. An assignment as physical training instructor at the Bainbridge Naval Training Center in Maryland gave him his first coaching opportunity. The next year found Don on the icebreaker U.S. Edisto with Boston as a home port. Working out at the YMCA brought him in touch with Jim Peckham, a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame who later coached the U.S. Olympic Team.

After being discharged from the Navy, Don signed on in the Bellmore-Merrick School District, where his association with great coaches continued. Don worked with them all- Sprig Gardner, Ken Hunte, Bob Bury, John Schaefer, and Nick Sabetto. The tremendous talent, super sports tradition, and supportive administration all contributed to Don’s growth as a teacher who “could inspire a cement block to walk” and Bob Bury as “one of the best technicians I have ever met.”

After a happy 10-year stint coaching at Grand Avenue, Mepham, and Bellmore Kennedy, Don went on to Smithtown High School, where he served as head coach for the next 13 years. In this capacity he engineered his share of successes in Suffolk County, including seven champions, 16 finalists, and 28 place-winners. In New York State tournaments, Don coached one champion, two finalists, and six place-winners. After retiring as head coach, Don worked as assistant coach at Smithtown East Junior High School, Ward Melville Junior High School, and Port Jefferson High School.

During his 33-year coaching career, Don continuously worked on the coaches clinic circuit. Having had so many great mentors almost obliged him to share his knowledge to an audience greater than just his own team.

This began by assisting Spring Gardner at his summer clinics at Gettysburg College. Other venues include the National Wrestling Coaches Clinic in Wildwood, New Jersey, Northeastern Wrestling Coaches Clinic, Empire State Coaches Clinic, Connecticut High School Wrestling Coaches Association Clinic, and the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Wrestling Clinic.

At the same time Don has offered his leadership to wrestling organizations. He has served as president of the New York State Wrestling Coaches Association, president of the Section XI Wrestling Coaches Association, and vice-president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association while also being a member of its Executive Committee.

Now in retirement, Don and his wife Eileen split their time between Chazy Lake in the Adirondacks, where his neighbor is John Schaefer, his successor at Bellmore Kennedy and Sebastian, Florida. Early in retirement he and John participated in kayak racing, but now Don is content with staying in shape for his grandchildren.

A wise man once said, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Don received his gifts, and then spent the rest of his life sharing them with others at local, state, and national levels.

With good reason the Downstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is honored to present Don with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award.