TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –– Rattler Nation has lost a member of the FAMUly as President of the 220 Quarterback Club, Eddie Jackson, has passed away.
"I am completely heartbroken to learn of the passing of Eddie Jackson," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes. "Mr. Jackson was one of the first people who reached out to me when I started in this role to extend his unwavering support of Rattler athletics. I will miss our friendly banter at the weekly 220 Quarterback Club meetings and his captivating storytelling. He was a model Rattler and his transition creates a void that will be felt by many, myself included.
"My thoughts are with Mrs. Jerrlyne, the Jackson family, members of the 220 Quarterback Club, and Rattlers everywhere during this time."
A FAMU alum, Jackson came to Tallahassee from St. Petersburg in 1964. As a student, Jackson worked for the FAMUAN and was the editor of the 1966 Rattler yearbook. Following graduation in 1966, Jackson became the sports information director for athletics. In 1966, his football media guide was selected by College Sports Communicators, formerly known as CoSIDA, as the eighth-best in the country. Jackson worked among many legends, including Alonso "Jake" Gaither, while serving as the sports information director.
In 1992, the FAMU public relations office under Jackson's leadership received the Silver Medal Award for Overall News and Information programs from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, ranking FAMU second only to UCLA, for having the best news and information program of all colleges and universities in the nation.
In 1998, FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries presented Jackson with the University's first Presidential Award and named him Employee of the Year after FAMU had been selected as the TIME Magazine and Princeton Review College of the Year in 1997.
Jackson would spend 39 years at Florida A&M University and served in other roles, including director of placement and career counseling, university public relations director, and vice president for university relations, before retiring in 2002.
Following retirement, Jackson continued to show his Rattler pride and involvement when he wrote a 251-page book titled "Coaching Against The Wind" that attempted to capture the inspirational careers of six men who believed the game of football is symbolic of life and serves as a powerful complement to academic study by helping student-athletes achieve success beyond the sanctuary of the college campus.
Jackson also assisted previous sports information directors with the Rattler Football Preview. This 98-page magazine previewed the upcoming football season with profiles and stories about the coaches and players, opponents, schedules, other Rattler sports, former players, administrators, and alumni.
Most recently, Jackson led the 220 Quarterback Club to support football and other programs financially. The group has donated more than $200,000 to various athletic programs and the Marching "100" Band in the past decade.
Jackson was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 as a contributor/supporter and administrator.
Arrangements for Jackson have not been set yet. Jackson's family will release details once they become available.
