Jackson knows the meaning of hard work, both on and off the mat
Let’s Get It On: Purdue vs. Northwestern
By Erin Myers
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Barry Jackson is not your typical collegiate wrestler.
While most college athletes struggle to handle a grueling schedule of practices, meets, classes and homework, Jackson, a landscape architecture major, is in a drastically different situation.
How different? Jackson currently is handling a full-time job on top of his academic and athletic pursuits.
“Landscape architecture is a five-year program at Purdue, “Jackson said. “You have three years of classes and then work in the real world in a co-op for about 10 months before you come back for your final year of study.”
Employed by Fanning Howey Associates Inc. in Indianapolis, Jackson began a 10-month co-operative phase in mid-September. Although Jackson works in the site department for landscape architecture and has participated in projects at Carmel and Hamilton Southeastern schools, the company also is responsible for projects in plumbing, interior design, and electrical and civil engineering.
“I really enjoy it here, “Jackson said of Fanning Howey. “I get to use what I’ve learned in class for the past three years and make real-world applications. I even have my own cubicle.”
Hard at work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jackson admits finding time for quality conditioning and wrestling practice is a challenge.
“It’s a constant battle to try to find the time I need for work, practice and conditioning and running, “Jackson said. “It’s taken a pretty good toll on me; it’s both physically and mentally draining.”
However, no one hears Jackson complain.
“Barry always makes up his time, and he’s been handling his work schedule really well, “said Jackson’s supervisor, landscape architect Jeff Bolinger. “He’s a patient, hard-working guy, and he always gets done what needs to get done.”
During preseason, Jackson would make the one-hour drive to the West Lafayette campus each weekend, with occasional visits during the week, for practice with his teammates. However, once the season began in late November, Jackson found he could attend only the meets themselves.
“I know it’s been so tough for him, “Jackson’s mother, Tammy, said. “But I know how disciplined, focused, self-motivated and determined he is in everything he does. He’s like that with the field he’s in, and he’s like that with wrestling.”
With the lack of sparring mates, Jackson decided to look in the Indianapolis area for a wrestling partner, and, as luck should have it, found former Purdue All-American Eric Douglas.
“After work, I’ll try to work out with Eric, go to my old high school (North Central), or maybe Beech Grove … I basically just try to find anywhere to practice, “Jackson said.
Douglas, a 1998 Purdue graduate and former Boilermaker wrestling graduate assistant from 2000 to 2002, is now a real estate agent for Century 21 in Indianapolis. Douglas expressed his admiration for Jackson’s determination to continue wrestling while working a full-time job.
“I give him a pat on the back for holding a full-time job and having such a phenomenal work ethic with wrestling, “Douglas said. “I’m sure it is incredibly hard to be away from the team because he knows he’d benefit more from working out with them every day. We try to run regular practices and are doing the best with what we have, but it’s difficult.”
Jackson, stepping up to take on the difficult task of filling the shoes of former two-time All-American Ryan Lange at 174 pounds, appreciates Douglas’s willingness to help him stay in good shape, but agrees that being away from the team has taken a toll.
“It’s nice to have Eric helping me practice, but since he’s basically the only one I work out with, I don’t see much variation to the style. That ends up leaving me unprepared for what I could see on the mat, “Jackson said.
Recording his first career pin during the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational over Craig Maurello of Northwest Wyoming, Jackson was plugging away as a varsity wrestler until the dual against Penn on Jan. 5. While executing a wrestling move known as a “fireman, “Jackson posted his arm on the other side of his opponent’s body. His shoulder popped out.
“I could feel it pop, and luckily I scrambled on my stomach so that I wouldn’t get pinned and it popped back into place, but I had to withdraw from the match because I couldn’t use my arm, “Jackson said. “I’ll find out soon from my doctor what the verdict is about the rest of the season, but I don’t plan on quitting.”
Jackson’s fierce determination to continue with wrestling is admirable, especially when considering his initial trepidation with the sport as an elementary school student.
“My dad was a wrestling coach and my brother wrestled, so wrestling was in the family from the start, “Tammy said. “But Barry was a bit claustrophobic, and when he saw his first wrestling match, he didn’t feel that he would ever be able to wrestle; he just didn’t feel that wrestling was for him.”
The situation changed completely when Jackson hit middle school.
“I’ve always liked sports, and in sixth grade I decided to try out for wrestling since I already knew a little bit about it, “Jackson said. “At my school, we could only play one sport per season. I figured for one season I could give wrestling a try.”
Not only did Jackson try, but he succeeded and continued the sport in high school. He became a three-year letterwinner at North Central High School in Indianapolis, finishing his senior year with a 43-3 record and a third-place finish in the Indiana State wrestling tournament.
But was he cut out to be a varsity wrestler at the collegiate level?
“In all honesty, I did see Barry going on to wrestle in college, “Tammy said. “He was looking at schools that had both a good landscape architecture program and a good wrestling program. Luckily, Purdue had both and was close to home.”
Boilermaker wrestling squad head coach, Jessie Reyes, claims that Purdue wrestling did not find Jackson, but that Jackson found Purdue wrestling.
“When Barry contacted us, we saw that he had a good background for the weight class, a weight class which we knew we would need someone to step in for later on down the road, “Reyes said. “He was also a good student and worked hard both in class and in the wrestling room, and has continued to work hard. He’s a valuable member of this wrestling team and an enjoyable guy to have around.”
During the 2003-04 season, Jackson frequently stepped in at both 184 and 197 pounds when the regular Boilermaker starters were injured or unable to compete and finished the year with a 7-9 record. One of Jackson’s most memorable wins was a 4-3 decision over Edinboro’s Jim Gibson at 197 pounds to clinch the team victory over the Fighting Scots and allowing the Boilermakers to sweep the Avalon Duals.
“When we needed someone to step in, Barry was the guy, and he would do a really good job, “Reyes said. “He’s great for 174 pounds this year because I feel he has great leverage and is so long for the weight class. He is great in the top position and can hold his opponents down well, but he just needs to work on getting out of the bottom position.”
Although currently dealing with a difficult season, Jackson still maintains the same goals he set for himself early in the year.
“Here at Purdue, at some point I want to qualify for the national tournament, “Jackson ýsaid. “However, for the current season I’d wanted to just stay healthy, stay happy, make sure I was mentally prepared for all my opponents, and try hard to work out of the bottom position. I can tell I’ve improved some on bottom, but as far as staying healthy … well, I guess it’s a little late for that.”
Reyes feels that Jackson can handle the pressure and expectations others put on him and the goals he sets for himself.
“Barry is really good with pressure, “Reyes said. “This season is going to be difficult for him, just because of the situation he’s in, but he has great potential and is a hard worker. He can accomplish whatever goals he sets for himself. He just needs to have the confidence.”
Douglas agrees.
“He has a lot of potential and talent, and possesses a great work ethic, “Douglas said. “Whatever goals he sets for himself, I know he can accomplish it. He’s a great kid who has stayed focused and goal-oriented in wrestling, all while holding a job. It’s amazing.”
In the small amount of free time he has to call his own, the quiet, reserved Jackson enjoys the typical Boilermaker wrestling hobby of fishing, although he especially enjoys fly-fishing and ties his own flies.
“Fishing is so relaxing; I love to fish, as do most of the wrestlers here at Purdue, “Jackson said with a laugh. “I don’t get to see them except at meets, but they still try to include me and seem pretty happy when I’m there.”
Outside of the wrestling room, Jackson also enjoys spending time with his family, including his 5-year-old niece, Taryn, and 2 ,½-year-old nephew, Alan.
“Barry is close with his sister, Bethany, and her family, and just adores his niece and nephew, “Tammy said. “He and Bethany had the typical sibling rivalry while growing up. Now she tries to come to as many meets as possible.”
So what is in the future for the multi-tasking Boilermaker leading a dual life?
“I want to first find a firm to work with and then eventually own my own landscape architecture business, “Jackson said. “I just want to be happy with life, making the best of every situation.”
After the tough schedule and obstacles Barry Jackson has faced this year, making the best of every situation in the future will seem like nothing more than a simple balancing act of priorities, obligations … and maybe just a little bit of fishing.
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