Greg Jackson Honored at 48th Annual Elks Sports Day

Greg Jackson Honored

at 48th Annual Elks Sports Day

Charles Romans

The Ashland Beacon

The Ashland Elks recently honored local standout Greg Jackson during their 48th Annual Sports Day Celebration—a tradition nearly five decades strong. Jackson, a proud alumnus of Paul G. Blazer High School, has dedicated much of his life to uplifting his alma mater and the greater Ashland community.

Jackson expressed deep gratitude upon receiving the recognition: "I was truly humbled to be chosen as the Honoree for the 48th Annual Sports Day Celebration," he said. In true team spirit, he added, "It takes the community to bring about growth in any endeavor."

A 1976 graduate of Paul Blazer, Jackson was a two-sport athlete, excelling in both baseball and football. He played third base on the baseball team and was part of Ashland’s legendary "Jaws" defensive unit on the football field during his senior year. But Elks Sports Day isn’t just about athletic accomplishments—it celebrates contributions on and off the field, and Jackson’s legacy is as rich in service as it is in sports.

For 17 years, Jackson led the Putnam Stadium Restoration Committee, where he oversaw not only the demolition of the old stadium but also its complete transformation. His leadership included major upgrades like installing artificial turf and a jumbotron scoreboard. “The artificial turf project alone required a lot of effort,” Jackson noted. Fundraising was critical, and he credited Brent and Rick Clark with providing a generous donation to kickstart the project.

Long before leading stadium restorations, Jackson made his mark on the gridiron as a Tomcat running back and outside linebacker. His high school teammate and longtime friend, Chuck Anderson—quarterback of that "Jaws" team—had the honor of introducing him at this year’s celebration. After high school, both men attended West Point. While Anderson pursued a military career in civil engineering, Jackson’s path brought him back home to serve his community.

Jackson spent six years as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army before entering the private sector, where he worked for Ashland Oil and then Marathon Petroleum. Over a 34-year career in Human Resources, Jackson rose to become HR Manager at the Marathon Refinery and later served at corporate headquarters in Findlay, Ohio.

Now retired for four years, Jackson hasn’t slowed down. Instead, he's channeled his experience in labor relations and strategic planning into numerous community projects. “I’ve always enjoyed a challenge and love being part of finding a solution to problems,” he said. He has served on multiple boards, including KCTCS, the Paramount Arts Center, the Putnam Stadium Board, and currently sits on the board of the Wetlands Foundation and serves as an Executive Board Member of Summer Motion.

“Challenges are just part of life,” Jackson reflected. “We all have challenges and problems to overcome.” That shared experience, he believes, is exactly why communities must work together. It’s a mindset he’s shared for 27 years as a dedicated youth baseball coach. “We were all benefitted by our coaches and parent volunteers growing up,” he said. “And it is my hope that the next generations will continue that.”

It’s that spirit—of resilience, service, and unwavering commitment to community—that makes Greg Jackson more than just a Sports Day honoree. He is a hometown hero, a team player in every sense of the word, and a shining example of what can be accomplished through dedication and heart.