Outfield wall padding was added in March 2017. With this latest figure, the Athletic Department has now tallied 32 straight semesters with a GPA above a 3.0, including the last nine consecutive semesters in which the GPA was 3.2 or higher. As the Director of Athletics, Jackson serves as a direct liaison between the Athletics Department and the broader campus community. Some highlights from his USC experience include oversight of more than $125 million in capital projects, playing a key role in a $300 million fundraising campaign for the USC athletic department, and managing the USC athletic department’s dealings with a multi-million dollar renovation of the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Jackson has been the chair of the BIG EAST Athletic Directors Committee and the Big 5 Athletic Director’s Committee, as well as the Co-Chair of the Collegiate Sports Summit for Athletic Directors. Other major projects include the October 2016 opening of the $18 million Andrew J. Talley Athletic Center and $4 million in facility enhancements to the Davis Center. Jackson’s vision for Villanova Athletics during his time on campus has been a commitment to excellence in every facet of the student-athlete experience, and to fostering an environment that allows the Wildcats to be successful on all fronts while maintaining the university’s place among the nation’s elite institutions for the combination of its academic prestige, athletic achievement and community service. View Mark Jackson’s profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. The last four years have seen 10 different sports programs earn team or individual berths to national postseason competition, while Villanova has won 20 conference championships and produced dozens of individual conference titles during Jackson’s tenure. The women’s cross country team earned a berth in the NCAA Championships, while the volleyball team made its second-ever NCAA appearance and the women’s basketball team played in the WNIT. View Mark Jackson’s profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. He is also charged with managing the department’s fiscal affairs, personnel, strategic planning, facilities, general operations and public relations. Jackson brought with him to Villanova nearly 20 years of experience and a comprehensive knowledge of all sports and the associated support necessary to sustain an elite collegiate athletic program. Jackson, 46, and his wife, Tricia, are parents to four children: Grace, 18; Hannah, 16; Kevin, 14; and Sean, 12. Jackson also developed a strong relationship with the NCAA, assisting with the development of a robust compliance program on campus.
View Mark Jackson’s profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community.
Highlights from 2017-18 included the dominant run made by men’s basketball during the NCAA Tournament en route to a second national title in three years. Jackson created the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll starting with the Fall 2016 grading period to recognize Wildcats student-athletes with a semester GPA of 3.2 or higher.