USTA Northern Executive Director Mike Goldammer announced the hiring of Brandon Jackson as the Director of Junior Teams for USTA Northern. Jackson replaces Christine Nickels, who was promoted to the Director of Community Tennis in December.
In his new position, Jackson will oversee USTA Northern’s efforts to provide increased play opportunities for all junior players by elevating the awareness, demand and preference for USTA Jr. Team Tennis and Tennis on Campus. He will also oversee efforts to increase the number of 10 and Under Play Days within the Section.
“Brandon is going to be a strong addition to the USTA Northern team,” Nickels said. “He brings with him the experience, talent, and enthusiasm needed to drive the programs under his direction to new heights.”
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Jackson received a Bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management and marketing in 2007 and his Masters of Education in sports management in 2010. He has worked for the University of Minnesota’s Department of Recreational Sports since June 2005, where he was a tennis instructor and group leader. He has been the head coach of the White Bear Lake Boys Tennis Team in White Bear Lake, Minn., since March of 2009.
Last summer, Jackson served as a Junior Teams intern for USTA Northern where he assisted with Area and Section Jr. Team Tennis Championships. He created the player guide for the event, helped administer the tournament and interviewed participants for social media purposes.
While at Minnesota, Jackson participated in the Tennis on Campus program from 2004-10. During that time, he was President, Treasurer and Safety/Facilities Coordinator. He pioneered the participation and growth of the program, managed all financial transactions, prepared the club’s Annual Budget and presided over meetings. The club won the USTA Northern Section Championships and qualified for the Tennis On Campus National Championships seven consecutive years. In 2010, Minnesota was named the USTA Northern Tennis on Campus Club of the Year.
Jackson also was a student member of the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association and was honored with the NIRSA/USTA Institutional Tennis Ace Award in 2007 and the Student Development Grant in 2009. He is a USTA League player and captain and won the USTA National Public Parks 8.0 Mixed Doubles championship last July. He has participated in the US Open Section Qualifying Tournament (2010) and was also a member of the USTA Northern Collegiate Tennis Committee (2008-10).
“Working for an organization such as the USTA has always been a dream of mine,” Jackson said. “With the opportunity to serve USTA Northern as its Director of Junior Teams, I get the chance of combining two of my life's passions: tennis and youth development. I am very impressed with the focus that USTA places on its junior players, and look forward to continuing to build the junior teams program within USTA Northern.”