Jackson joins 1,000 point and 500 rebound club

She will be the first one to tell you that eclipsing 1,000 points, grabbing more than 500 rebounds and leading the Lady Saxons all-time in steals isn’t worth noting.

“I don’t think it’s that big of a deal,” senior forward/guard Melanie Jackson said. But the lone senior captain of the AU women’s basketball team acknowledged that “it (basketball) defines who I am.”

Regardless of Jackson’s personal sentiments towards statistics, she’s inked her name into the record books, joining the elite 1000-point, 500-rebound club after scoring 18 points in a win over Nazareth on Feb. 10. Jackson joins the company of Lisa Valitutto (1998-2002), Beth Mott (1986-1990) and Heide Aldous (1983-1987) as the only players on that elite list. Jackson this season also passed Valitutto in career steals with over 180.

Jackson remembers picking up a basketball at around the age of six. She credits her father for encouraging her interest in the game.

“He taught me how to play,” she said.

Michael Jackson, Melanie’s father, who coached junior high in Andover, brought young Melanie to the gym when her siblings would play.

“She had an older brother and an older sister, and she was always there with me dribbling left handed, right handed, left handed, right handed,” Mr. Jackson said. “She was just always in the gym wanting to play.”

From there, Jackson developed the natural skill set to develop into an outstanding high school player. She moved to the varsity as a seventh grader. She played in Andover for two seasons, leading the Lady Panthers to a Section V Class D championship in 1999. She transferred to Wellsville to play under head coach Tom Delahunt.

Jackson led the Lady Lions to Section V titles in 2002 and 2003, while collecting Section V all-star accolades in 1999, 2002 and 2003.

As a first-year college student, Jackson attended St. John Fisher, but realized quickly she didn’t belong.

After her transfer, Jackson’s first season at Alfred began in 2005-2006. She tallied 69 dimes and had a team-high 71 steals, which tied a single season record. In what may have been her best season statistically, Jackson, during her sophomore campaign, increased her points per game total to 14.2 and snatched 149 rebounds to earn Empire eight honorable mention. She would repeat as an Empire eight honorable mention her junior season, scoring a team-high 11.8 points per game.

At the beginning of this season, Jackson needed 262 points to reach the hallowed 1000-point mark and 69 rebounds to capture 500. It was certainly attainable, considering Jackson had averaged 246 points and 143 rebounds her first three seasons.

On the court, Jackson doesn’t overwhelm, but rather, in a nonchalant, carefree style, gets the job done every time she steps onto the court. Jackson has played, what seems like to her, an infinite number of games, between high school, AAU summer ball and college--not to mention practices and pick-up games. That repetition has worn on her, but her teammates appreciate how she approaches the game.

“Smooth is her middle name,” said junior guard Abbey Schaffnit. “She composes herself so well. If I could be a player, I’d choose her.”

“The way she plays … is passive, but in a good way,” said junior guard Emily Steen. Steen added that Jackson will attempt passes no other player will dare, but, because it’s her, that pass will find its intended target. Steen also said that as a defender, Jackson does a good job avoiding screens and anticipating passes, translating into her record number of steals.

But her teammates also recognize her as an individual off the hardwood. They’ve participated in a shared experience as members of a team, and it’s made for a healthy locker room.

“She’s such a great team player,” added Schaffnit. “We’ve all just grown on each other. Mel just grows on you.”

But, there’s more than meets the eye with Jackson. There’s more to her than just basketball. While she admits basketball tends to label who she is, she finds solace in nature and music. Her environmental science degree reflects her passion for the outdoors. Jackson plays the trombone, piano, bass and guitar in her spare time. And before games, it’s not unusual to see Jackson listening to Marilyn Manson, or In Flames, two notorious heavy death metal artists.

In the future, she jokingly expressed her desire to suit it up in the WNBA, but if that failed, she seriously would revel in the role of a rock star.

“When you’re with Mel, it’s hilarious,” said Steen. “You’re laughing the whole time.”

Jackson’s stats put her on the map at AU for being a terrific basketball talent, one that’s not been duplicated since 2002 and before that, since 1990. But, it’s not out of the realm of possibilities to think that she’ll sweep past other milestones life presents. Heck, she’s already figured out how to play basketball.

“She worked hard,” said Mr. Jackson. “I’m proud of her.”