E.A. Jackson is entering her sixth season at the helm of the Towson University field hockey team. She was named the head coach of the program in February of 2017 and is the 12th coach in program history.
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Tigers did not play a fall 2020 schedule and instead postponed their season to a shortened spring 2021 slate.
Jackson led the Tigers to the most wins under her leadership in the fall 2021 season, going 4-13, including winning their second conference game since 2011. The fall 2021 squad had two CAA Preseason Team award winners in Lena Vandam and Kaiya Townsend Sabur. Lena Vandam was the fourth Tiger to be named All-CAA first team and Kasey Bubel was the 16th to be awarded All-CAA second team. The team's four wins was the most in a season since 2011.
In the spring 2021 season, Jackson saw the Tigers to two wins over La Salle and a historic victory over Northeastern. The win marked the first in program history on the Huskies’ turf. It was also the team’s first win against Northeastern since 2011. The 3-1 victory signified the Tigers’ first CAA win since 2011 and first conference win on the road since 2010. Jackson also guided three players to All-CAA awards. Lena Vandam was named the program’s first ever CAA Defensive Player of the Year as well as named to the All-CAA first team. Kasey Bubel earned an All-CAA second team selection as well as Kaiya Towsend Sabur who got a spot on the All-CAA Rookie team.
The 2019 season brought excitement with the first full season of the newly opened TU Field Hockey Complex. Jackson guided the Tigers to three wins, all at home, including a thrilling double overtime win against Georgetown. In postseason accolades, Jackson saw three players receive All-CAA honors. Biera Ho and Tess Okkerse were named to the All-CAA Second Team as well as Georgia Beachley and Okkerse, who were selected for the CAA All-Rookie Team.
Under Coach Jackson in the classroom, the 2019 squad had the top GPA in the conference of 3.630, earning the CAA Commissioner's Academic Award in summer 2019, a prestigious nod to the top academic teams in each sport. Five student-athletes earned a 4.0 GPA while all 21 members of the team earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher. The team also had two players recognized as NFHCA Scholars of Distinction. The team consistently produces among the highest GPAs across all Towson programs.
In her second season, coach Jackson and the University opened the brand-new TU Field Hockey Complex, located between the Towson softball field and the tennis courts adjacent to Lot 20 on Towson's campus. The field is part of a larger construction project for the athletic department including practice fields next to Lot 19.
In June of 2019, Jackson was presented the Cecile Reynaud Coaching Mastery Award, named for long-time Florida State volleyball head coach Cecile Renaud. While attending the NCAA WeCOACH Academy 2.0, she received this award voted on by her coaching peers at the event. Jackson is an active member of the WeCOACH Organization Coaches Council.
Jackson has a USA Field Hockey Level I & II Coaching Certification from the National Coaches Forum and is also a USA Field Hockey Coaches Educator. She serves as the CAA representative for the Division I Field Hockey Mid-Atlantic Regional Advisory Committee.
Coach Jackson is certified in Leading Restorative Practice Circles and Mental Health First Aid Certified.
Before coming to Towson, Jackson worked as the head field hockey coach and Senior Woman Administrator at Eastern Mennonite University for two years. She joined the Royals' staff in the spring of 2015 and had an immediate impact on the program. Jackson doubled the team's win total for the 2016 season and helped the team record its most wins in a season since 2011. During her second season as head coach, she increased the team's goals for by 28, while decreasing the goals against by 34.
Jackson also served as the recruiting coordinator and director of operations for the Eastern Mennonite field hockey program. She brought in a record number of freshmen to the Royals during her time with the program. She oversaw the Royals' scheduling, designed engaging training sessions and analyzed game film. Jackson developed formations and plays on the SportPlan Platform to develop tactical awareness and hockey IQ. Jackson helped rejuvenate the Royals' fundraising platform, raising over $10,000 for the program in her first year as a head coach.
Before joining the staff at EMU, Jackson served as the head coach at Albemarle High School in Charlottesville, Virginia for five years. Jackson was named District Coach of the Year following her first season at Albemarle. She managed the varsity and club programs, oversaw the team's budget, coaching staff and social media accounts while at Albemarle. She also planned, wrote and facilitated the implementation of her engaging curriculum.
She also worked as an American Studies teacher as well as a Special Education Transitional Specialist at Albemarle High School for 15 years, prior to making the leap to college coaching.
She served as a USA Futures Elite Coach at the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond in 2016. Jackson also has worked as a coach at James Madison University's Summer Field Hockey Camp in 2015 and 2016.
Jackson graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 1999 with a bachelor of science in psychology. She served as team captain for the Eagles under Coach Dana Hall and helped the team reach the Division III NCAA Tournament as a freshman. Jackson added a masters of education from George Washington University in 2001.
