Bernie Jackson

Bernard Leroy Jackson Jr. (October 22, 1961–November 1, 1997) was an American former sprinter, musician, and poet. He was the 1983 Pan American 4 × 100 m champion and won a bronze medal in the 200 metres.

Career Jackson was from Phoenix, Arizona and attended McClintock High School, where he was considered the nation's top prep sprinter. Surprisingly, he chose to attend the University of Washington rather than a school with a better track and field reputation.

Jackson was an All-American sprinter for the Washington Huskies track and field team, finishing 7th in the 200 metres at the 1981 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. After one year at Washington, Jackson returned to Arizona where he competed for Mesa Community College in the NJCAA. At Mesa, Jackson ran 9.9 seconds hand timed over 100 meters. He returned to the NCAA to compete for the Alabama Crimson Tide track and field team, where he finished runner-up in the 4 × 400 meters relay at the 1985 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Jackson also set an NCAA record in the 4 × 400 m relay at Alabama.