Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009

COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL: Faces, not wins, mark Jackson's tenure at as the Vikings skipper

Looking back on a career that marks 25 years this season, the winningiest coach in Western Washington men's basketball history might not care whether his team has won 450 games or 50.

Brad Jackson's march into the Vikings' record books is, by his own account, highlighted not so much by records and wins as it is by faces and names of the young men he's coached along the way.

"Well the first thing and probably the primary thing quite frankly is the players," Jackson said of his silver anniversary as the Vikings men's head basketball coach. "That to me is the essence of coaching. It's the opportunity to teach young people. The games are great. I don't want to minimize the games and the records and all that kind of stuff, because that is important, but I think the long term aspect of coaching is the totality of the experience."

There have been plenty of wins along the way, though. Jackson's overall record of 450-258 leads the Vikings in wins and winning percentage, putting him No.18 among active NCAA Division II coaches in victories and No. 38 in winning percentage. Western beat Dominican 87-72 at the Seattle Pacific Tip-off Classic on Saturday, Nov. 21, for Jackson's 450th win.

Not surprisingly, Jackson credits that success to his players, assistant coaches and support from the university.

Just last year he was named GNAC Coach of the Year, directing the Vikings to their 17th postseason playoff appearance and a 10th 20-win season during his tenure. The highest point was likely 2001, when Jackson directed Western to a 27-4 record and the semifinals of the NCAA Division II National Championship, being named NABC/NCAA II West Region, Northwest small college and Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year.

The run at nationals was a memorable one, sure, but Jackson is hesitant to play favorites when dissecting the highs and lows of his time as the Vikings' skipper.

"I would say that if I go back through the seasons and I look every team that I've had, almost every year there has been a game or series of games that I would consider highlights," Jackson said. "I think every team whether they had a great record or whether their record was just OK, I think every team had their moments."

The coach admits a poignant moment involved a time when he was able to coach his own son - Kyle Jackson (2002-2006) - on the Western hard-court.

"On a personal note, that kind of transcended basketball and basketball was the vehicle," Jackson said, "but that particular time period was very gratifying to me just because it was such an unusual situation and the players that were a part of that group of guys during that time was really fun. We had quite a number of local kids at that point. That was really special. I don't think I could have replicated that too easily."

Jackson said, thankfully, the low-points have been few. The death of Duke Wallenborn due to congenital heart failure in 1992 just 30 hours after he scored 18 points to help the Vikings clinch first place in the NAIA District 1 standings was understandably tough. The coach was close with Wallenborn and his parents, who he still is in contact with.

"That was an extremely difficult experience," Jackson said. "Some of the things that came out of that experience were amazing. It really had long-lasting and meaningful effects. But it was real difficult, really tough."

Other difficult moments came at the end of every season, Jackson admits, when every experience with each specific group of players must end. And, short of a national championship, usually with a loss.

That's the game of basketball.

But Jackson hopes his influence at Western has stretched beyond the hard court.

"That's one of my hopes that we've been a good example and taking the opportunity we've had to coach here and have players and teams that really represent our university and our community well," Jackson said.

And that might be the one thing that keeps him here, so long as the Vikings will have him, he said.

"I guess my whole thing is you kind of bloom where you're planted," Jackson said. "I don't think anyone closes the door, I don't know that that's a wise thing, and I don't know that I would ever close the door on other opportunities. But obviously I've been here a long time and people have asked me that since the third or fourth year since I've been here. My answer is I really enjoy it here; I enjoy coaching and can hopefully continue to do that. I think that's where we are right now. I've enjoyed this community a lot."

BEN FLETCHER

THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

With a record of 450-258, Western Washington men's basketball coach Brad Jackson has led the Vikings through plenty of big games as his tenure reaches 25 years this season. Here is a chronological look at 25 of the most memorable WWU men's basketball games under Jackson's guidance:

1. NOV. 22, 1985 - UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA 73, WESTERN 61

Brad Jackson begins his Vikings head coaching career with a loss in the opening game of the Victoria Invitational. Western led 29-28 at half while facing 7-footer Cord Clemens.

2. NOV. 23, 1985 - WESTERN 89, UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 78

Jackson wins his first game as the Vikings skipper, as Brian Paul scores 20 points to lead four Western players in double figures. The win earned the Vikings third place at the Victoria Invitational.

3. FEB. 4, 1988 - WESTERN 99, GRAND CANYON 88 (OT)

Guard Tim Dickerson scores 29 points after halftime, leading the Western men to an overtime victory over the Antelopes, who went on to win the NAIA national championship.

4. MARCH 5, 1988 - WESTERN 78, CENTRAL WASHINGTON 75

Five Vikings score in double figures and ruin a 37-point performance by Central forward Carl Aaron, as the Western men open a best two-of-three NAIA District 1 championship series with a win.

5. MARCH 9, 1988 - WESTERN 95, CENTRAL WASHINGTON 84

For the second time in two nights, five Vikings score in double figures, as the Vikings win the NAIA District 1 championship and a trip to the nationals.

6. FEB. 3 1989 - WESTERN 141, NORTHWEST COLLEGE 52

The Vikings set four school records in front of 1,111 people at Sam Carver Gym: points scored (141), points in a half (77), winning margin (89) and center Ed Briggs sets a Western mark for blocked shots in season (72).

7. FEB. 4, 1989 - WESTERN 100, ALASKA SOUTHEAST 97

The Vikings rally from a 19-point second-half deficit to beat the Whales, who made the record books by posting the most points ever scored at Sam Carver Gym by a losing team. Western's Ed Briggs blocks a school-record nine shots and grabs 11 rebounds to go with his nine points.

8. JAN. 16, 1990 - WESTERN 73, SEATTLE UNIVERSITY 63

Just five seasons in, Jackson's young career gains some breadth as the coach notches his 100th win faster than any coach in Vikings' history. He shares the night with senior guard Mannie Kimmie, who on the same night scores 15 points to become the Vikings all-time leading scorer with 1,444 points, besting Mike Franza's career total of 1,436.

9. FEB. 29, 1992 - WESTERN 64, CENTRAL WASHINGTON 63

A crowd of 2,850 watches Vikings forward Duke Wallenborn score 18 points to help Western clinch first place in NAIA District 1 standings. The game is later marked by tragedy, as Wallenborn dies in his sleep about 30 hours after the final horn due to congenital heart failure. "I feel Duke has brought us this far, I know he'd want us to keep playing, " co-captain Shawn Bovenkamp said as the Vikings prepared for their first game following Wallenborn's death, a NAIA District 1 semifinal game against Lewis-Clark State College. Western lost the game 90-75.

10. MARCH 3, 1993 - WESTERN 95, LEWIS-CLARK STATE 91 (4 OT)

In the longest postseason game in Western history, the Viking men need four overtimes to win this district quarterfinal. Vikings guard Dwayne Kirkley plays 56 of the game's 60 minutes, making steals on consecutive possessions with Western trailing by four with 90 seconds left in regulation. Kirkley feeds Jay Shinnick, who is fouled and receives two free throws after the first steal, then ties the game with his own lay up after the second to force overtime. Shinnick leads Western with 21 points, and Kirkley adds 18. Western also ties a 32-year old record by making 41 free throws on 51 attempts.

11. MARCH 9, 1994 - WESTERN 88, LEWIS-CLARK STATE 71

A crowd of 2,884 watches the Vikings earn the NAIA Pacific Northwest Region 1 championship and a trip to nationals. Forward Harold Doyal leads the Vikings with 19 points and All-America guard Dwayne Kirkley has 18 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and four assists, including a second-half dunk off a 40-foot behind-the-back pass from fellow guard Jeff Dick.

12. MARCH 15, 1994 - OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY 101, WESTERN 93 (OT)

With the Vikings leading 87-84 and just seconds from advancing to the second round of the NAIA Division I national tournament, a miracle shot from Oklahoma Baptist's Robbie Powell from 25 feet out forces overtime and ultimately sinks the Vikings. Western rallies from 16 down with 14 minutes left in the game. "It was like going 100 miles an hour, then hitting a brick wall," WWU center Paul Jacobson said at the time.

13. FEB. 16, 1995 - WESTERN 71, UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND 63

Jackson, in his 10th season, becomes just the second coach of the Vikings men's basketball team to reach 200 wins.

14. JAN. 22, 1998 - WESTERN 102, HAWAII PACIFIC 97 (3 OT)

It takes the Vikings three overtimes to beat HP, ranked No. 5 in the national NAIA Division I poll at the time. Western has to rally from six points down with a minute left to force the first overtime. Two nights later, the Vikings play another multi-overtime game against a nationally ranked team from Hawaii, falling to No.18 BYU-Hawaii, 112-104, in double overtime.

15. NOV. 30, 2000 - WESTERN 99, SEATTLE PACIFIC 93

The Vikings basketball team sings "Happy Birthday" as the coach reaches two milestones: His 49th year and win No. 275 as Western's men's head basketball coach. Rallying to beat No. 17 ranked SPU in front of 1,780 fans to tie Chuck Randall as the winningiest coach in the program's history was likely even more icing on Jackson's birthday cake. "When you schedule a game like this, you could look at it and it could be great or it could be really tough," Jackson said after the game. "This was a huge game and it's a big win. This is really big for our confidence."

16. MARCH 9, 2001 - WESTERN 95, CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD 86 (OT)

Jacob Stevenson has career-highs of 31 points and 13 rebounds as Western needs overtime to win this NCAA Division II West Regional semifinal at Sam Carver Gym.

17. MARCH 10, 2001 - WESTERN 58, CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO 55

Tournament MVP Jacob Stevenson scores a game-high 19 points, as Western rallies from a seven-point second half deficit to win the NCAA II West Region championship and move into the Elite Eight. Cal State led by as much as seven in the first half.

18. MARCH 21, 2001 - WESTERN 89, QUEENS, N.C. 85

The Vikings clinch the best record and national finish in school history with their 14th straight victory - this one in the quarterfinal game at the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Shelton Diggs matches a career best with 27 points and grabs a career-high 11 rebounds, both game-highs.

19. MARCH 22, 2001 - WASHBURN, KS 96, WESTERN 90

The best season in Vikings history comes to a close in a national semifinal of the NCAA Division II Elite Eight at Bakersfield, Calif, but it doesn't end without a struggle. Western narrows a 17-point deficit with 2:09 to play to a deficit of just two in the final 25 seconds before falling. Western was ranked No.7 in the final NCAA II national poll and completed its best season in school history at 27-4.

20. NOV. 23, 2001 - WESTERN 98, SOUTHERN COLORADO 70

Roughly 1,250 fans at Sam Carver Gym watch the Vikings roll to victory on the first day of the Chuck Randall Thanksgiving Classic. It's a historic night, too, as Jackson reaches 300 wins after being stuck at 299 for eight months - the span of an offseason. "It's really a testimony to all the players I've coached here. We've had some really good players and some really good teams," Jackson said at the time.

21. MARCH 10, 2006 - WESTERN 100, HUMBOLDT STATE 86

Ryan Diggs scores a school-record 47 points, leading Western to a 100-86 victory in an opening-round game of the NCAA II West Regional. Diggs had 42 points earlier in the season, tying the previous school record for points that had stood for 34 years.

22. MARCH 11, 2006 - WESTERN 101, CHAMINADE 91

Grant Dykstra scores a game-high 29 points and had a team-high five assists as Western defeats Chaminade in a semifinal game of the NCAA II West Regional. Dykstra (2002-2006) finishes his career as the Vikings' all-time leading scorer with 1,844 points.

23. MARCH 13, 2006 - SEATTLE PACIFIC 84, WESTERN 81

Center Tyler MacMullen battered SPU in the paint for 24 points and 12 rebounds, but the Vikings fell short in the NCAA Division II West Regional final.

24. NOV. 18, 2006 - WESTERN 67, CAL STATE L.A. 66

Ira Graham's game-winning jump-shot with 24 seconds left gives Jackson his 400th win in 22 seasons as the Vikings men's basketball head coach - the first to reach that plateau. Graham scored the final 10 points for Western.

25. NOV. 21, 2009 - WESTERN 87, DOMINICAN 72

Senior guard Morris Anderson racks up 20 points, nine assists, six steals, four rebounds and three blocked shots as Jackson reaches yet another benchmark - this time 450 wins - was the Vikings win their second straight game at the Seattle Pacific University Tip-off Classic. Better yet, his team is off to a 5-1 start.