Jacksonville State University Athletics

Jerry Cole was JSU's first full-time Athletic Director, serving from 1974 until his retirement in 1998. The Gamecock athletic programs accomplished more than any NCAA Division II school in history under his leadership. The Gamecocks became the only Division II program in NCAA history to be crowned national champions in the three major sports, with titles in football basketball and baseball. JSU also claimed a pair of National Championships in gymnastics under his leadership. The Gamecocks accumulated 37 Gulf South Conference championships, including nine football titles, seven men's basketball championships, two volleyball titles and one women's basketball championship. The Gamecocks also won four consecutive Men's and Women's All-Conference Championships in the late 1980's and early 1990's. He led Jacksonville State to Division I in 1995 and aligned most of JSU's athletic programs with the Trans America Athletic Conference in January, 1995, and helped the Gamecocks become a charter member of the Southland Football League in July of 1995. He retired in 1998 following more than 25 years of service.