Coach Jackson Saving Lives Through Basketball

Who are the Chicago Trojans?

Chicago Trojans Basketball Program, a youth engaged mentorship interacting with positive male role models, housed in the city of Chicago created by Marlon Jackson in 1997. Chicago Trojans' mission is to develop student-athletes from underserved and under resourced communities and give them opportunities to develop their skills, talents, and prepare for their future success.

Chicago Trojans Basketball was a component of the Isaiah Tutoring and Mentoring Program (ITMP). After being mentored and tutored young men enrolled in ITMP would then compete in citywide basketball tournaments. Within its first year the Chicago Trojans became a household name. 17 years later, Chicago Trojans has become an instructional and competitive basketball program that continues to promote sportsmanship, high academic achievement, and strong skills development programs for youth 7 to 17 years old. The Chicago Trojan’s travel all over the country winning countless games, taking these children out of their normal environment to show them different experiences and also on college tours.

Coach Jackson is from the Englewood area on the south side of Chicago. He knows the work it takes to “make it out” and has seen many families struggle to sometimes remain in their environment. He does all he can to be the missing piece to the puzzle for so many kinds in his classroom, neighborhood, youth programs and even the ones that just happen to be around. He is the guy you can easily open up to, knowing he will give you that grand advice. Coach Jackson started coaching young men as a way to encourage and reward students to succeed in the classroom. Driven by off the court success, his program is set up for the players to become accomplished men. They have tutoring programs to keep them focused on school and to help them receive good grades, and life skill essentials that they can carry with them for a lifetime. Fatherless boys in his program do not leave the same way they came. As they grow and go on to other things they still come back home, with their Chicago Trojan’s family. They have been hand held, with the support of many great influencer's in the communities that make up the Windy City, to teach them positive ways of life. They become the father’s to their own children that some never had before Chicago Trojans had become a part of their lives.

It doesn’t end on the court. To ensure that the Trojans’ have a strong finish in the school year, the Chicago Trojan staff offers tutorial sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at the Carter G. Woodson Chicago Public Library to assist with projects, finals, make-up work etc. The Chicago Trojans is a one stop shop that provides mentoring, life-skills, community resources, follow-up services and wrap around services to families and children using sports as a tool. Enhancing a child’s physical regiment and mental mind-set to hustle to the finish line are quality lessons to carry-on in life. Your finish line is your personal goals. What makes a great coach is the combination of life experiences, along with sports knowledge and the ability to inspire with your words. Every Chicago Trojan coach offers you the family away from family. When you become a Chicago Trojan, you become a brother or sister Trojan for life.

  

Meet the Coaches

Head Coach & Executive Director Marlon Jackson began his coaching career in 1997 under legendary basketball Coach James Garland and Faith Michael. Jackson's coaching philosophy centers around three main areas: working hard together as a team, rebounding/defending and attacking offensively. Jackson helped to pilot Medgar Evers Boys Basketball program to three 50 wins seasons and the program deepest postseason tournament runs in CPS including two final four appearances in 2011, 2012. Coach Jackson was named Jr. High School Coach of the Year in 2010-2011; 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 from the Illinois High School Coaching Association and 2013 Midwest Coach of the Year for YBOA.  Coach Jackson currently works with Youth Basketball of America under the direction of Kevin Woods and the Trojans are the lead team for the State of Illinois.

Assistant Coach Ed is beginning his 5th year of coaching and his coaching in the deep south of Atlanta and has a passion and gift to work with youth and to not only teach the game of basketball, but also to instill in them principles that will help them in life to become productive men in society.

Assistant Coach Dervel Jackson is a student at Harold Washington College and has been coaching for over 3 years. Coach Jackson’s love for the game of basketball has landed him the head position over the Chicago Trojan’s new initiative reaching grades K-4th, now called the Future Scholar College Kids. Coach Jackson believes that playing basketball can heighten their critical thinking skills and keep them in a book’s over ball mind frame.

Assistant Coach McKay has over 20 years of experience coaching elementary, high school players and college. Coach McKay’s main role with the Chicago Trojans is helping to ensure that their logistics, schedules and behind-the-scenes tasks are in order.

Assistant Coach Stewart has over 25 years coaching players at both the elementary and high school levels and has mentored at risk youth with a yearning desire to see them succeed on and off the court.

Both Coach McKay and Coach Stewart are over the Parental Responsibility Initiative Program that links fathers  who want to become better father’s to their children and become more involved through sports and mentorship. For those that do not have a father in their life, PRI places a father figure role model in place to give them what their missing.

In the Words of Coach Jackson

TRR: When did you decide to become a leader to uplift and support those coming up after you and why?

Jackson: After high school when I realized you had to invest in yourself, and make a choice between going a positive or negative route. When I went to college I knew I needed to work hard and develop in order to find myself. It was a strong desire in my heart to go back to my community and serve in order to be the difference, we so strongly needed. For today’s youth, everything is a struggle, and they all need as much support as possible. Each one teach one and together everyone achieves more.

TRR: What were your concerns that lead you to start the program?

Jackson: First look at research and understand why our children don’t make it. Most kids need a positive community, school environment and home-life to be successful. For inner city kids, that’s a challenge. All children want to do well in life. I wanted to make a difference and become a leader who influenced others. I started my career in social-services, working with children and family in the homes, visiting schools and taking kids to inner city activities. I found out there was a lack of parental involvement, and it took a village to raise a child. I started Jackson Community Services in 1996 with tutoring, mentorship programs and sports programs.

TRR: What do you feel the majority of the children are/were lacking the most that your program helps/helped strengthen?

Jackson: Most of our children are lacking support systems, resources, financial support, and true programs that follow-up and build a direct connection. My program helps because we track our children from entry to parenthood. The can always come back. Big problems with other programs, they run special events only, when it’s over its over, and you can’t do it that way. If you are a parent, you are a parent for life.

 TRR: What do you feel is the best way to reach the youth and gain their trust, so that they will listen and allow positive Influencer's like yourself in their worlds to help guide them down the right paths?

Jackson: Be real with them. Everyone has a gift and you must have a plan for each and teach that your gift will make room for you. Nothing is given, it is earned. You must be able to influence. A good leader has followers. Kids follow GREAT leadership.

TRR: How does your occupation play a role in your position with the Chicago Trojan Basketball Program?

Jackson: My occupation doesn’t play a role. I’m a life-long learner today.  Leaders must adapt to this generation and reach kids where they are today. Kids need to know what you stand for first.  The best things in life aren’t things, its RESULTS.  Just because something is difficult, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. It means you should just try harder. As a coach, I am a teacher, parent, role model, etc. I can walk the walk in school because I am a teacher and I know student-athletics. I’m the light in the community and parents expect the positive or negative call you have to reach all levels to win.

TRR: What is the most important lesson or the one piece of advice that you would want every Chicago Trojan to remember life long?

Jackson: Sports’ is a tool to use in life. Become positive citizens and remember to give back to others. In life you must plan ahead. The future belongs to the individual who prepares for it today. Lastly the ultimate measure of a man is where he stands in times of challenge. You are more than what you conquer in life. “On this team everyone wins.”

TRR: What are your favorite accomplishments as a young basketball player and today as a role model?

Jackson: My favorite accomplishments as a young player is learning to be a team, and understanding that everyone has a role and you can always learn other roles in your lifetime. If you love it, you support it. I watched my coach give back from the heart and set a foundation. So I saw what was good and right. As a role model today, you must give your best and I do just that.

TRR: Who are your most memorable success stories and why?

Jackson: Over 90% of the students we touch become model citizens, and great fathers to their children. Some kids earn college degrees, N.B.A. contracts and overseas contracts. They come and give back to other youth in the community. Success stories are all about the grass-roots, making a positive impact in the life of others and knowing you’re helping someone. Last memorable moment was winning a national championship. We hit the record books with a group of young men who walked together and focused on results.  I won national championship in 6th and 10th grade both no loses.