Hall of Fame
Jackie Ross Mattox, a native of Kingstown, St. Vincent, never had witnessed snow until she arrived at The University of Idaho in the middle of a blizzard in 1989.
“As a kid growing up in the Caribbean, I did not believe that snow was real – I thought it was make believe,” Mattox said. “Arriving at The University of Idaho for the first time in the middle of the blizzard was like a scene right of out the movie Cool Runnings.”
Although not used to the cold climate of Moscow, Mattox thrived in the environment. She was a 10-time Big Sky Champion, is fourth in Idaho history in outdoor track and field conference scoring with 58 points, and currently
holds University of Idaho school records in the indoor and outdoor triple jump. Her school record in the triple jump came on her first-career jump.
Mattox was the Big Sky Outstanding Indoor Field Athlete in 1990, 1991, and 1992. She competed at the 1990 NCAA Championship but later withdrew because of an injury. She also competed at the 1991 Indoor NCAA Championship in the triple jump.
Representing her home country of St. Vincent at the 1988 Olympic Games, Mattox finished 26th in the long jump. She also earned the St. Vincent National Heritage Achievement Award in 1995 and is a former St. Vincent national record holder in the triple jump.
Out of all her achievements on and off the track, Mattox said her biggest triumph was earning her degree.
“At the time, I was the only person in my family who had gone to college,” Mattox said. “A degree was a gateway to a better life for my family.”
Mattox said being a part of the University of Idaho track and field team gave her many opportunities that she wouldn’t have had otherwise. Mattox added that, while she enjoyed competing and representing Idaho with pride – she also liked winning.
“The discipline, commitment, trust and dedication that were required to compete at the University of Idaho have helped me in all aspects of my life,” Mattox said. “It helped in raising my children, my marriage, my relationship with friends and coworkers and work in general.”
Mattox currently resides in Mead, Wash., with her big-hearted Vandal alumnus husband and their four children: Caleb, Jordan, Brandon and Alexis. She currently works for her husband as his personal administrative assistant and also scribes in the emergency department after working as a nurse for eight years.
“I had a wonderful experience at the University of Idaho and I would not trade it for anything,” Mattox said. “I am very proud to be a Vandal.”
