MASFIELD — She won’t officially take over until Aug. 1, but Terra Jackson couldn’t wait to get started.

A Mansfield Senior graduate, Jackson was appointed as her alma mater’s new athletic director at Tuesday night’s board meeting.

She takes over for Laurie Romano and Jack Soliday, who served as interim co-ADs after Kevin Porter was placed on paid administrative leave in October of 2023.

We need to rebuild, starting with our younger levels. I’ve seen how we’ve fallen off as far as getting our students to participate.

Terra Jackson, New Mansfield Senior Athletic Director

With the start of the high school golf season less than two weeks away, Jackson couldn’t wait to get to work.

“I actually started last Monday,” Jackson said when reached by phone Wednesday afternoon. “There is plenty of work to be done.”

The 1998 Senior High grad has worked for the district since 2001. She has served in several capacities, most recently as the middle school dean of students.

She has seen sports participation dwindle, especially at the lower levels. Getting younger students excited about athletics is her top priority.

“We need to rebuild, starting with our younger levels,” Jackson said. “I’ve seen how we’ve fallen off as far as getting our students to participate.

“There’s no reason why we are one of the biggest schools around here and yet we don’t have kids going out for sports.”

Jackson plans to draw from her own experience as a Mansfield athlete to rekindle the fire.

“When I came up through the school system and played at the elementary level, we played against each other. Newman would play against Carpenter and Hedges would play against Woodland,” Jackson said.

“My goal is to involve all the schools in the district along with the charter schools like Richland School of Academic Arts and Foundations because those students usually come and play for us at the high school level.” 

One piece of the puzzle, Jackson said, is finding and retaining qualified and energetic grade school and middle school coaches.

“We don’t have enough youth coaches,” Jackson said. “I want to find coaches who played the sport, know the sport and will able to bring knowledge and enthusiasm to our programs.

“We also want to involve the community. We’ve seen what it looks like when the community gets behind its teams.”

Jackson envisions a bright future for the athletic department.

“We have a group of eighth-graders this year who are going to be a powerhouse in boys and girls sports,” Jackson said. “Now we just need to get the younger kids on board. 

“Let’s get it going.”