by Emily Aronson

At this time of year, Eric Jackson is focused on helping to lead Princeton’s varsity football team to victory. Each spring, he refocuses his passion for the gridiron by teaching the X’s and O’s to local women with a different goal in mind: defeating breast cancer.

Eric Jackson, defensive backs coach for the Princeton football team, organizes the annual women’s football clinic to benefit breast cancer research. The clinic brings women from the University and local communities to Princeton Stadium to learn fundamentals of football and support the Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick. “The clinic is our way of giving back to the women we care about,” Jackson said.

Jackson, in his ninth season as defensive backs coach for the Princeton football team, organizes the University’s annual women’s football clinic to benefit breast cancer research. The event has raised approximately $15,000 for cancer research organizations since it began in 2001 under Jackson’s direction. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick has been the beneficiary since 2003, with an estimated $8,500 donated to the institute.

“Whenever you have an opportunity to give back, you do it. The clinic is our way of giving back to the women we care about,” he said. “The reward for the football team is seeing everyone having a great time and knowing we also are raising awareness about an important issue.”

The clinic brings 40 to 80 women to Princeton Stadium for one day each spring to learn fundamentals of the game. Jackson and the other football coaches teach basic rules and strategies, run drills and lead the women in a game of touch football. Participants pay a $30 registration fee.

“We are there to teach everyone our game with enthusiasm and love,” Jackson said. “We run the event like any other football clinic — stressing the same techniques and skills that we impart to players.”

Head football coach Roger Hughes said, “It is great to give people the tools to be more involved in enjoying football. It also is a chance to teach women whose sons may be interested in playing the game, and of course it helps us do our little part to aid in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.”

Jackson said about half the women who attend the clinic work at the University, while most of the other participants are central New Jersey residents, with a few traveling from New York City and Philadelphia. The Cancer Institute encourages its patients to attend, and members of the Junior League of Greater Princeton have been participants. Staff from the YWCA of Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center set up a booth on the sidelines and provide educational materials and brochures about the YWCA’s support programs.

“It is community partners like the Princeton football team that help the Cancer Institute of New Jersey remain at the forefront of cancer research, provide access to the most advanced cancer care and engage in community outreach and education,” said Michelle Walker, director of annual giving for the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation.

Walker works with the University to promote the fundraiser and said she has been struck by how Jackson’s passion for the game is matched by his dedication to the cause.

Walker said the enthusiasm of the Princeton football staff “makes this unique clinic a fun day of learning, while also helping to advance life-saving research.”

Jackson does not have a personal connection to someone with breast cancer but said he’s been moved by the people he has met through the clinic.

“You find out there are so many women on our campus and throughout the community who had cancer or have been touched by the disease through a family member or friend,” he said.

The 2008 clinic was held in recognition of University staff members and breast cancer survivors Janet Gruschow and Mimi Landau. Although the fall football season is about to begin, Jackson already is working on plans to honor a local survivor at the May 2009 clinic.

Gruschow participated in walks to raise money for breast cancer but said a football fundraiser was new to her.

“It was hard to resist Eric’s invitation to play last year when he greeted me with a bear hug and a big smile,” said Gruschow, assistant to President Tilghman. “There was a real sense of camaraderie among the women at the event — young, old, University staff, moms, sisters, friends and neighbors.”

Landau, a systems support specialist at University Health Services, has participated in four clinics and said the experience was a natural fit for her. She has been an advocate for breast health awareness since 1988 and considers herself an avid Tiger football fan.

“I feel that my involvement with the University does not end when I leave my office. If there are other events on campus, I should take an active interest,” Landau said of why she initially joined. “But it’s Eric’s enthusiasm and encouragement of our involvement that has me returning year after year. He loves the sport and is making it available to anyone interested and, of course, everyone wins when it also can benefit the greater public.”

Jackson played football at Eastern Michigan University and grew up in Ann Arbor. He said he modeled the Princeton women’s clinic after a similar event at the University of Michigan, which was held as part of the school’s summer football camp where Jackson used to work.

“I thought it was an event that also could work well at Princeton. We are in a metro area and a lot of people’s first experience with football is through the University,” he said.

Jackson said the coaches always look forward to taking a break from their busy spring schedules, crisscrossing the country on recruiting trips, to run the clinic.

“Our schedule is unbelievably tight and long. It’s rewarding whenever you get the chance to go outside the box and have people gain an appreciation for what you do at the University,” Jackson said.

The event also is an outreach opportunity for the student athletes, who help teach the women how to play their positions on the team.

“The cause becomes more real for students — that could be their mom or sister,” Jackson said. “It also gives them a chance to show their enthusiasm for the game. They want the women to say ‘I see you love what you do and now I’m going to come back to campus and watch you play in a game.’”

Jackson said it’s gratifying to see a woman who first was intimidated or nervous about playing take the field competitively during the closing game, throwing passes or scoring a touchdown.

“Someone makes a big play and all the coaches are celebrating, high-fiving and lifting her up,” he said. “We are trying to do our part to help women in our community, and we also enjoy the heck out of the day. It’s as simple as that.”

Clinic photos courtesy of Princeton University football

(photo: Beverly Schaefer)