Jimmy Jackson Inducted Into National Wrestling Hall of Fame
June 03, 2023 | Cowboy Wrestling
STILLWATER – Former Oklahoma State wrestler Jimmy Jackson was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023 Saturday evening.
Jackson was a three-time NCAA champion and Big Eight Conference champion at heavyweight for the Cowboys. Listed at 6'6" and 350 pounds, Jackson compiled an 87-9-2 career record with 44 falls from 1975 to 1978. As a senior, he went 29-0 with 11 falls, which included a third-consecutive national title to cap off his illustrious career. With the victory, Jackson and Lee Kemp became the first African-American wrestlers to win three NCAA individual championships.
As a 19-year-old college sophomore, Jackson competed at the 1976 Olympics and won his opening match by technical fall over fellow Cowboy Harry Geris of Canada. Jackson would eventually fall to gold medalist Soslan Andiyev of the Soviet Union and silver medalist Jozsef Balla of Hungary.
Jackson was also a three-time World Cup champion and won a gold medal at the Pan American Championships in 1987.
In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Oklahoma State University Athletics Hall of Honor. He passed away at 51 years old in 2008, suffering from diabetes and congestive heart failure.
Former Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby was also inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as an Outstanding American honoree. The induction ceremony was held at the 46th Honors Weekend at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts in Stillwater.
Jackson was a three-time NCAA champion and Big Eight Conference champion at heavyweight for the Cowboys. Listed at 6'6" and 350 pounds, Jackson compiled an 87-9-2 career record with 44 falls from 1975 to 1978. As a senior, he went 29-0 with 11 falls, which included a third-consecutive national title to cap off his illustrious career. With the victory, Jackson and Lee Kemp became the first African-American wrestlers to win three NCAA individual championships.
As a 19-year-old college sophomore, Jackson competed at the 1976 Olympics and won his opening match by technical fall over fellow Cowboy Harry Geris of Canada. Jackson would eventually fall to gold medalist Soslan Andiyev of the Soviet Union and silver medalist Jozsef Balla of Hungary.
Jackson was also a three-time World Cup champion and won a gold medal at the Pan American Championships in 1987.
In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Oklahoma State University Athletics Hall of Honor. He passed away at 51 years old in 2008, suffering from diabetes and congestive heart failure.
Former Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby was also inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as an Outstanding American honoree. The induction ceremony was held at the 46th Honors Weekend at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts in Stillwater.
