Cole Valley Christian’s athletic department is stepping into a new era, and at the forefront of this transition is Athletic Director Connor Jackson. As the team gears up for the Boise Dream Football Classic, Jackson’s leadership, rooted in faith and a passion for sports, is guiding the school through an exciting period of growth and transformation.
A Calling to Leadership
Connor Jackson’s path to becoming an Athletic Director at Cole Valley Christian is one that reflects a deep sense of purpose and a calling to serve. Jackson didn’t initially see himself in the role, but encouragement from friends and a clear sense of divine leading made the decision clear.
"When the AD position opened up, many friends around me encouraged me to apply for the gig," Jackson recalls. "While I'm not sure I felt qualified for the job, I certainly felt the Lord's leading in all of it."
From a young age, Jackson was drawn to the world of sports, with dreams of one day becoming a General Manager in professional sports. His passion for athletics was coupled with a strong faith, which guided his career choices. During college, Jackson read "Visual Theology" by Tim Challies, a book that shaped his understanding of vocation. "Challies says when you evaluate your God-given talents, passions, and hobbies, you're on your way to finding your vocation," Jackson explains. "Personally, I couldn't be more grateful for where the Lord has me, as it's a blend of everything I enjoy: Christ, discipleship, athletics, and the development of programs."
Seven Years of Growth and Development
Jackson took over as Athletic Director at Cole Valley Christian midway through the 2017-2018 school year, at the young age of 25. In the seven years since, he has grown both professionally and personally, steering the athletic programs at CVCS with a steady hand.
"I started as Athletic Director at Cole Valley Christian halfway through the 17-18 school year, taking over for Dan Reece," Jackson shares. "It's been seven years since I took over in this position, and I don't get confused for being a teacher’s aide as much anymore."
Under Jackson’s leadership, Cole Valley Christian’s athletic department has flourished, with a focus on continuous improvement, both in terms of athletic performance and spiritual growth.
Embracing a New Challenge
This season marks a significant shift for Cole Valley Christian as they move up from the 2A to the 4A classification. Jackson is embracing the challenge, setting ambitious goals for the program as they compete in the new Snake River Valley (SRV) conference.
"We're entering a new era of CVCS athletics with the jump in classification from 2A to 4A," Jackson explains. "The hope would be to immediately dive in and establish ourselves as competitors in the SRV across the board. I think we're in a really good spot to do that. Keep making strides forward program to program to excel still more!"
Jackson is not just focused on the success of the teams but also on his personal and professional development. Having recently attained his NFHS Level 3 Coaching certification, he is now working towards earning the NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) designation by the end of December. "The goal is to always be moving forward and growing spiritually and in professional development," Jackson says.
Defining Success Through Faith
For Jackson, success in athletics is deeply intertwined with faith. Drawing inspiration from 1 Corinthians 9:24, Jackson emphasizes the importance of running the race with the end in mind, but also recognizes that not every team will win championships. Instead, he focuses on the process and the pursuit of excellence.
"Process & Pursuit! 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, 'Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.' We're called to set our eyes on the prize and run with the end in mind," Jackson explains. "What we want to see is our coaches and student-athletes stewarding the gifts (Matthew 25:14-30) that God has given them and maximizing their talent no matter what the end result is."
Jackson also hopes that the student-athletes at Cole Valley Christian will have rich experiences with their coaches, who will help guide them closer to Christ. "At the end of the day, we all have stories of coaches who had influence in our lives, and my hope is that our kids walk away from their time here with a rich experience with their coaches who helped shepherd them and point them closer to Christ," he says.
Excitement for the Boise Dream Football Classic
As Cole Valley Christian prepares to take the field at Albertsons Stadium for the Boise Dream Football Classic, the excitement is palpable. Playing on Boise State University’s iconic blue turf is a unique opportunity that Jackson and his team are thrilled to experience.
"C'mon now... do we even need to answer that?" Jackson says with a laugh when asked about the excitement level. "An opportunity to play on the Blue under the lights!? We're incredibly thankful to both BSU and Dream Football for making this a reality for our guys. There is a lot of excitement within the locker room to strap it on and play at Albertson's Stadium."
Jackson recognizes that while not all of his players will go on to play at the next level, this experience is something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. "A lot of kids won't go on to play at the next level, but to be able to afford them a chance to play on a college field—it's a unique opportunity," he says. "Charge On!"
Looking Ahead
As the Boise Dream Football Classic approaches, Connor Jackson is leading Cole Valley Christian with a focus on faith, growth, and excellence. With his unwavering commitment to developing both the athletic programs and the spiritual lives of his student-athletes, Jackson is setting the stage for a memorable and impactful season.
For Cole Valley Christian, this season is not just about the challenges of a new classification; it’s about seizing the opportunities to grow, compete, and honor the Lord in all they do.
For more information about the Dream Football Classic and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.dreamfootballclassic.com/highschool
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