From meacsports.com :
DOVER, Del., Apr. 15, 2019–Delaware State head softball coach Amber Jackson has announced that she will leave the post at the end of the current season to serve a missionary tour in Africa.
Now in her fifth season as head coach of the Hornets, Jackson’s tenure has been highlighted by two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division titles, MEAC Coach of the Year honors in 2016 and a 56-25 regular-season mark in division games (.691).
In 2016, Delaware State led all conference teams in total wins (30) and division victories (16-2). In addition, the 2016 Hornets led the MEAC in batting (.331), slugging percentage (.487), runs (315), hits (454), RBI (280), doubles (78), home runs (39) and total bases (669). DSU also posted the lowest ERA (3.52), along with allowing the fewest runs (151) and home runs (22) among conference teams that season.
Jackson’s first season at Delaware State in 2015 was highlighted by the team’s second straight MEAC North championship with a 14-4 record and a school-record 14-game win streak. Notable 2015 victories for the Hornets included a 15-3 thumping of Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) foe Virginia and a 2-0 shutout of Big East foe Villanova.
Jackson has guided 17 All-MEAC selections with the Hornets, including six First Team honorees, and one league Rookie of the Year.
This season, the Hornets are 6-23 overall and 3-6 in the MEAC.
“I’m grateful to Delaware State for allowing me the honor and privilege to serve as head softball coach,” Jackson said. “I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to lead and impact DSU women academically, athletically and professionally. Recently, I’ve been offered the opportunity to educate and train children in Africa through education, the gospel and sport. The lessons I’ve learned as a Hornet will serve me well as I take the next step in my career.”
As collegiate player at Bethune-Cookman, Jackson is recognized among the best in MEAC history. She is one of two players to earn three MEAC Player of the Year honors, capturing the award from 2003-05 (the other is Delaware State’s Jordan Reid from 2010-12). Jackson was an All-America selection in each season at Bethune-Cookman, in addition to playing an integral role in the squad’s 2005 NCAA Tournament Super Regional appearance.
Also in 2005, she was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Team after batting .455 (fifth-highest in NCAA Division I), with 14 homers, 68 runs batted in and 33 stolen bases.
Jackson later attended the University of Maryland for her senior season in 2007. That year, she set school records with 24 home runs (most in the NCAA), 56 RBI and 55 walks. She was Maryland’s second NFCA All-American and was named to the All-ACC First Team, while graduating with her Masters of Education in Human Development.
She was inducted into the MEAC Hall-of-Fame in 2017 and the Bethune-Cookman Athletics Hall-of-Fame five years earlier.
After her collegiate career, she played three years (2007-09) in the National Pro Fastpitch League for the Washington Glory and USSSA Pride. Her accolades included League Player of the Year (2007), All-League First Team (2007, 2009) and a 2008 All Star selection (2008).
“On behalf of the University, I extend sincere thanks to coach Jackson for being an outstanding representation of DSU and our softball program during her years as a Hornet,” said Delaware State Director of Athletics Dr. D. Scott Gines. “She is a purpose-driven individual with a calling to service. We are privileged that Delaware State was among the stops in her life’s journey and truly wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
Jackson is eager to end her Delaware State experience on a high note.
She added, “I am fully committed to my student-athletes, their academic and on-field success, and to competitive excellence for the remainder of the 2019 softball season.”
