Endless Waves… Remembrances of Sayville Alumni. “David Cornell Jackson”, Class of 1973

David Jackson is one of Sayville High School’s greatest runners of all time.

He passed on January 2, 2024 and will be missed by those near and dear to him.

This remembrance pays tribute to a teammate, friend, classmate, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather and other associations.

I offer some of my memories in hopes to give a glimpse of someone who may have seemed quiet and calm on the outside but had a big heart and strong athletic talent.

I had the joy and privilege to run with Dave on the Cross Country, Winter Track and Spring Track teams. Myself and others strived to be our best as he set the standard to try and reach.

Years ago someone asked me to describe Dave and the first thought that came to mind was effortless. The way he ran made it look so naturally smooth. His talent and endurance put him ahead of all others.

I have mostly Cross Country memories with some track. We ran mile and two mile races together during Track seasons.

Sayville’s home Cross Country course, for years, had been a couple times around the school grounds. In the fall of 1970 coach Carl Varone established our new home course on the West Sayville Golf Course. Starting by the Bay and running the golf course perimeter was enjoyable. Dave set the course record that may have stood for years. He set course records on many other school home courses.

Then there were the major and memorable Cross Country courses – used for large invitational and championship races

Sunken Meadow State Park is Long Island’s Cross Country course and has hosted scores of races at all levels.

I admit I’ve not set foot on the course in decades but it holds a special place in my soul and I’d imagine in the hearts and minds of all who tackled it.

Those who ran it will always remember Cardiac Hill – a feature that tested you about halfway into the race. Climbing the steep hillside surrounded by dense woods, it was in a way a peaceful challenge. A peace broken by the sound of footsteps and heavy breathing.

Van Cortland Park in New York City is considered one of the premier Cross Country courses in the nation.

Imagine a wide group of a few hundred runners on the start line. At the sound of the starting gun this huge mass of runners dashed across a field to a somewhat narrow trailhead called the “cowpath entrance” – maybe 1/3 of a mile out.

What a rush it was this huge horde of bodies trying to sprint and position ourselves close to the front of the pack while closing in amongst each other. Once on the modest width, sometimes rocky, trail – your general place in the race was somewhat set with limited access for passing and moving up. Your training, endurance and will were well tested on this course.

Dave was usually at the front when reaching the cowpath entrance and a number of times won the race. He was one of the best in New York State and in the East.

The most memorable race I saw Dave run on a track occurred during the County Championship in the Spring of 1970.

Dave and Justin Gubbins ran close together throughout the Two Mile race. It was a battle between them with Dave pulling away shortly before finish.

I’ll always remember viewing from the stands Dave leaning over hands on his knees catching his breath – while Justin resting his head on Dave’s back. It lasted a moment before they straightened up and shook hands – these two magnificent runners had given their all.

Justin had beaten Dave many times before but that day belonged to Dave. Justin was a runner for Bellport in prior years, the family had moved to Sayville – that day they ran as teammates.

I’d like to close with a dedication to Coach Carl Varone.

Under his leadership the Cross Country team achieved multiple League and County Championships – the State Championship in the fall of 1971.

I once wrote this and will repeat it here.

Coach Varone was truly an incredible leader and most of all a kind fair inspirational person who changed my life. I’d imagine he had that effect on many others – on the field/floor and in the classroom.

There are many Sayville runners and athletes who gained notable success in their time.

This tribute is also dedicated to all participants of all sports and activities at all levels and to those who supported them – coaches, assistants,
student managers, teammates, teachers, staff, classmates, family and friends.

David Jackson lead the way and pulled the rest of us along to achievements we didn’t know were within us.

Rest In Peace Dave

Chris Horn ’73

Dave helped shape my life. He didn’t know it and I didn’t know it at the time but reflecting back he made a big impact on me.

During the years attending Green Avenue Elementary, mid 1960’s, I was a quiet kid and not that athletic. Usually one the last picked playing baseball. I hung back by the goal during mass soccer games – scores of kids crowding the ball kicking up clouds of dust. I did enjoy maybe earning a ribbon and points for the team during Field Day.

The 1968 Summer Olympics were the first I watched on TV and we were glued to the set. The competition, the superb athletes and achievement of winning a medal. It was inspiring.

I’ll never forget witnessing live the 200-meter running event medal ceremony when Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in protest. I was transfixed by the moment and to this day I respect the courage they summoned to send their message.

Athletics can inspire change and create meaning in life.

One day in the boy’s locker room at the old Junior High, across from the train station, I can look back on a moment that changed my life.  Dave was humbly showing us a running medal he had won. I was really struck by the moment. Right then and there I wanted to be good enough to win a medal.

Dave was the inspiration for what led to my achievements for the rest of my life.

We ran, were teammates, raced to win together, and were pretty successful.

The spark he unknowingly lit in me and the drive to run like him set me on a path of a life fulfilled.

Thank You Dave Jackson – I love you

Remember to share the love with family, friends, classmates, alumni, and the community.

Chris Horn ‘73

David was a freshman (I was a senior), running on the Cross Country team as a varsity runner.

The most enduring memory I have of David was his effortless, floating stride.  Coupled with his quiet and easy smile he was a sight to behold as he motored around “the Meadow”.

The (color) pics are from the 1968 County meet at Sunken Meadow, where Bob Peiser (first place) led Sayville to the win.  David was a big part of that win and it was a precursor of what was to come for the rest of his Sayville career.

I ran into David a few years back in Sayville and he was the same sweet man.  A big smile and ready to talk about old times (running!) at Sayville.

Thank you for honoring David Jackson.

Dave Ort, Class of 1969

I had the privilege to run cross country and track with David his freshman year. You could tell that David Jackson was going to be someone special. He had the perfect build for a runner and had tremendous determination. His freshman year he finished 9th in the county in cross country which helped Sayville qualify for the state meet. In the state meet he helped us finish second as a team.

In track his freshman year he qualified for state in the 2 mile by finishing 3rd in the county qualyifing meet. Freshman are not supposed to be that good.

I remember him with a smile on his face but determination in his heart when he was running.

Once again I knew that this young talented runner was going to be special (it wasn’t hard to see). I said to him partially kidding but mainly serious – please don’t beat my school records.

Bob Peiser, Class of 1969

One of the finest athletes to ever come out of Sayville, a legend in cross country and track who made it look easy.

Whenever we saw each other he was always ready with a knowing smile and a compassionate ear.

A great guy!

Tony Winters, Class of 1973

Dave was a such a nice guy.

Always smiling.

Kinda shy.

He will be missed.

Linda Cromwell, Class of 1973

He was a great guy,

not just a great runner,

but a very good Friend!

Barry Verspoor, Class of 1973

I didn’t know Dave very well, we ran in different circles.

But I DO remember him as a kind person, pretty quiet, and always with a smile.

Thanks for doing this in his honor

Debbie Jenkins, Class of 1973

I remember us going to an invitational at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City and Dave Jackson winning our race.

Dave decided he wasn’t finished and decided to run during the college race.

If memory serves me correctly he came in top 5 of that race although it wasn’t official.

In my book, Dave was the greatest runner SHS had during my HS years.

Michael Champlin, Class of 1974

I would like to Thank Hal G. Brown ’72 for his tremendous help with this tribute – Thank You Hal!

I also want to Thank Tom McMahon ’70 and Lisa Ulrich ’73 for their help!

Thank You! Chris Horn ’73

February 21, 2024