SAN FRANCISCO - The Western Collegiate Lacrosse League (WCLL) coaches have unanimously selected Charlie Jackson as its 2020 Division I Coach of the Year.

Jackson, who was the head coach at Oregon in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League (PNCLL), passed away on Feb. 10 in his sleep. He was 43.

The WCLL Division I coaches wanted to honor his legacy as both a player and coach in the WCLL and his contributions to lacrosse throughout the WCLL and the State of California.

Charlie started his college career at Chico State and played there from 1998-2002. He returned to coach Chico from the fall of 2009 until spring of 2012.

Charlie had an immediate and significant impact on the Chico State lacrosse program and its players. He revitalized the team both on and off the field and re-engaged the alumni to put the team back on a winning track.

He also brought in excellent assistant coaches like Dan Metoyer and Adam Bokmeyer while creating a strong culture.

His coaching highlights included taking Chico State from a 3-9 record in 2010 to two consecutive winning seasons in 2011 and 2012, finishing 11-6 and 8-5 respectively.

He also won “The Boot” versus Cal Poly in 2011, which is the only time in the last decade or more that has happened. Jackson led the Wldcats to appearances in the WCLL playoffs in 2011 and 2012.

He loved Chico and loved coaching lacrosse, and spoke frequently about moving back to Chico.

The WCLL honors Charlie’s love of the game and is honors his legacy by naming him the 2020 WCLL Division I Coach of the Year.