The NIRSA Championship Series is proud to announce Jerrod Jackson, Director of MizzouRec Services & Facilities as the 2026 recipient of the Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award.
Some leaders shape programs. Others shape people. Jerrod has done both—and he’s been doing it for more than two decades.
Jerrod’s journey in campus recreation began as a student, when even then he stood out for his personality, determination, and unmistakable presence.
As Darci Doll, retired form the University of Texas at Austin recalls from Jerrod’s undergraduate days at University of Texas at Austin: “Jerrod was a ‘spirited’ undergraduate student—and ‘spirited’ is code for stubborn and sassy,” Darci shares with a laugh. “I had to be talked out of letting him go not once, but twice. Fortunately for the program, both Barbara Brimi and Bob Childress were smarter than me, and Jerrod remained on the student intramural staff,” says Darci.
“Under the steadfast guidance of this award’s namesake Sarah Fain, that spirit was developed into dedication, passion, and resiliency. Sarah and I shared lots of ‘Jerrod’ stories over the years, and shared overwhelming pride as we watched him become a fantastic leader on the campuses he’s served and throughout the Association,” Darci adds.
“Dedication, passion, and resiliency earned Jerrod his current role as Director, where he continues to make a huge positive impact on student success. Sarah and I are still so proud!” says Darci.
That early spark—the same spirited energy Darci remembers—became the foundation for Jerrod’s career in campus recreation and his long tenure with the NIRSA Championship Series.
Mentored by Sarah, guided by purpose
During his time as a graduate assistant at Georgia Southern University, Jerrod worked closely with then Director of Intramural Sports Sarah Fain. What started as a professional mentorship quickly became something deeper—a relationship built on shared values of student development, service to others, and doing the work the right way.
Those who saw them work together recognized the influence Sarah had on Jerrod’s leadership development. Her steady guidance helped shape the dedication, passion, and resilience that colleagues now associate with him.
As Gary Cahen, Associate Director at the University of Central Florida says: “In every role he has taken on, Jerrod has shown the tireless dedication, leadership, and collaborative spirit that Sarah herself exemplified. He has poured his energy into making the details right, supporting his colleagues, and always improving the participant experience.”
Those values have remained central to Jerrod’s work since his formative years.
A Championship Series cornerstone
From the Swamp Bowl to state tournaments, from The Series blog to the National Flag Football stage, Jerrod’s impact on the NIRSA Championship Series has been both steady and transformative. Over the years, he has served in several leadership roles, including Assistant Director of Officials for the National Flag Football Tournament, and as a long-time member of the NIRSA Flag Football Rules Book Editorial Board.
In every role he serves in, Jerrod focuses on strengthening the experience for student participants and officials while helping build sustainable systems that support the long-term growth of The Series.
His leadership includes his past role as Chair of the NIRSA Championship Series Executive Team. In that position, Jerrod helped elevate event standards, refine policies, and strengthen the overall infrastructure of The Series. His vision emphasized inclusion, consistency, and ensuring that every student and volunteer involved in the NIRSA Championship Series walks away from every tournament with a meaningful experience.
Beyond a title
While Jerrod’s impact within the NIRSA Championship Series is extensive, his influence stretches across NIRSA. From serving as program chair for the NIRSA Intramural Sports Symposium to representing Region IV on the NIRSA Member Network, he has consistently invested in the broader campus recreation community.
But if you ask those who know him best, they rarely begin by listing his titles. Instead, they talk about the way he shows up for people—checking in with colleagues, mentoring young professionals, and creating opportunities for students to grow and succeed.
As Anna Castillo, Senior Associate Director at Southwestern University, shares: “Jerrod is the kind of person you always want on your team. During his time working alongside Sarah, he learned firsthand what it truly means to make an impact—and to make it count. Distinguished service is not measured in titles, but in lives touched, standards raised, and the quiet consistency of excellence. Jerrod exemplifies that spirit every day. He gives of himself so that others may shine, lifting those around him and strengthening every team he is part of. There is no doubt that Sarah would be incredibly proud of the man he has become.”
Jerrod Jackson doesn’t just reflect the values behind this award—he lives them.
Join us in celebration
Jerrod will be formally recognized during the NIRSA Championship Series Social at the 2026 NIRSA + IDEA® World Conference & Expo on Wednesday evening. This networking social will provide an opportunity for colleagues, friends, and long-term collaborators to celebrate his impact and the lasting contributions he has made to the Championship Series community.
Take time this week or at the Conference in April to congratulate Jerrod as the 2026 recipient of the Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award.
- For more information about the NIRSA Championship Series, contact Lauren Carlson, NIRSA National Sports Program Manager.
