Norwich Tech athlete is first in family to go to college. He’ll play at a ‘Little Ivy’

NORWICH – For Norwich Tech senior Xavier Jackson, playing college football was only one of his lifelong dreams. Going to college in the first place would also fulfill a wish from a family that has not sent anyone to college prior to him.

Jackson, a talented wide receiver for Thames River football co-op, will realize both goals.

Not only will Jackson become the first in his family to attend college, but he will also study economics and engineering while playing football at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Bates, which competes in the New England Small College Athletic Conference, is one of New England’s most prestigious academic institutions.

It has not been an easy road from Tech school to a college labeled as one of the eight “Little Ivy League” institutions such as NESCAC schools Wesleyan and Trinity. Not when you consider most Tech school graduates opt for work in their trade directly out of school.

Norwich Tech’s Xavier Jackson eyes the end zone in the Crusaders’ 28-18 win over Platt Tech last season in Groton.

“A lot of people ask me why don’t you get a job and make good money right off the bat,” said Jackson, who is a plumbing and heating trade student. “It’s tempting to make 25 to 30 dollars an hour or more right out of high school. But I had a dream to play college ball. Plus, I have a goal down the road to run my own business, which is where the college diploma will help me.”

If making the jump from Tech school to Little Ivy is daunting, then consider the football aspect. Tech school football has improved, but it is not considered a fruitful breeding ground for college recruiters – an assessment even Jackson can’t deny.

“Tech football is just not looked at in the same way as public schools from football-crazy communities,” Jackson said. “Thames River has three schools (Norwich Tech, Grasso Tech and St. Bernard),…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/norwich-tech-athlete-first-family-080132828.html

Author : The Bulletin

Publish date : 2024-05-20 08:01:32

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