Recruited to MT by alumnus, fellow Hall of Famer and assistant football Coach E. K. Patty while on his way home on the train after serving in World War II, Joe Jackson was a starter and letterman for MT's football and basketball teams for three years and baseball for two. A member of Coach Charles "Bubber" Murphy's first football squad, Jackson played in 20 wins in 28 games.
Off the field, Jackson was MT student body president in 1948-49. After graduation, he helped to form the letterman's association, now called the Varsity Club. He had a 30-year career in Murfreesboro city politics as a city councilman, vice mayor and finally mayor. An MT Outstanding Alumnus, Jackson was named Tennessee Mayor of the Year in 1994.
