Carmen Jackson has been a staple in the South Florida track scene ever since her days as a standout at Miami Jackson. Over her time as a coach at Miami Northwestern the Bulls have been one of the most dominant programs regardless of gender. The girls have won ten state titles while the boys have won five. The girls are heavy favorites to win the 3A state championship, while the boys should have a challenge for the number one spot on the podium. Recently, both teams claimed regional titles (number 15 for girls, 8 for boys). We caught up with Coach Jackson as her team's prepare for the state meet this weekend in Jacksonville.
How did you get into coaching?
My career here at Northwestern came through my high school coach, by the name of Lula smith. Lula Bell Smith was my high school coach at Miami Jackson. We had a big rivalry between Jackson and Northwestern. I was a stellar athlete at Miami Jackson, becoming a part of history where won the first girl's state championship in 1975. That was the first year of varsity sports for high school girls in all sports. My career and experience as an athlete at Miami Jackson, under the direction of Coach Smith has developed me into the person I am today. On that 1975 State team, I was the runner-up in the 100m dash, losing to future Olympian Chandra Cheesebourough from Jacksonville (Ribault HighSchool) Florida, I also anchoring the winning 4x100 and sprint medley relays. I was named All-City (known today as All-Dade) in all those events, and I was named Florida Athlete of the Year. I remember Coach Smith calling me asking that I come out and assist her in coaching at Northwestern. I felt awkward saying yes since it was the rival school, but I was convinced by Coach Smith and Coach Carol Hardemon who was my club coach. It’s funny how life has a twist; there I was with the two women who have mentored me to become the coach I am today.
Miami Northwestern has been of the most dominating programs of the last decades especially on the girl’s side. 
What do you attribute that success to?
What do you attribute that success to? It's real simple coach all your athletes so they can be developed, and become confident in all they do in the classroom and on the track. I saw the other day there was a comment made on flrunners, that some of my athletes come with lots of experience. A few come with experience, but most are from the inner city entering in the ninth grade and come with little to no experience. Most of the time if they come with experience in a particular event, we change their event/s to meet their individual profile, so they can maximize their potential to be recruited nationally. It begins with having a great coaching staff that have embraced my vision for the team. Along with that it takes deep embedded passion, dedication, commitment, and ends with a burning desire to motivate student athletes who comes with lots of baggage and short comings.
Talk about the way the season has been going so far?
In the beginning of the season, it’s a long hard process to get the team to come daily during the off season to work on strenghting and endurance.
On the girl's side, it's incredibly deep and versatile. From freshman to seniors and nearly every event. How do you maintain that balance and how important is it to get kids to not just shine in one or two areas, but all events?
We talk with the team a lot about team work and how important it is to perform in each event. We tell them quite often how this sport is looked as an individual sport, but is important to separate at the meet and go to your events and get maximized effort as they compete. Balance is kept by keeping our veterans athletes out of their regular events in our weekly dual/quad meets and allowing our under developed athletes to compete without being in their shadows. It keeps the team motivated and fun.
Do the kids realize when they come in the tradition of those before them?
A rich tradition has been embedded here at WEST. There is a lot of pride and joy being a BULL.
New student athletes come in knowing the rich history of their past alumni in this program. As coaches we remind them that they didn’t build this rich culture, but they can make sure it continues to exist as they compete here in their high school career. More often their alumni come back and give them food for thought to encourage them to give it their all at all times.
After such a dominating regional win (almost 200 pts) how do you keep the girls, hungry, humble and focused?
At the end of each big meet, we meet in the middle of the field to recap over the meet. I give them their congrats, but I remind them that this meet is now history, and know one really remembers when the meet is over who won. What people do remember is who ran on that elite level and gave the crowd a show. Which means perform at your best for your fans and college coaches. A humble and focusd athlete always wins (in life)and get the greater piece of the pie.
What do you work on with both teams this final week?
SPEED, FOCUS, AND TEAM WORK,
The boys will have a tighter battle with several teams not too far behind them. What will it take for them to bring home the title and give you a MNW sweep?
We will need to get three in the finals in the 400m, one in finals of the 100m, 200m and winning all the relays.
We will need to get three in the finals in the 400m, one in finals of the 100m, 200m and winning all the relays.
When all is said and done this weekend what will make you most proud about this year's squads?
What will make me the most proud is seeing them compete as a team with pride dignity, and honor.
What will make me the most proud is seeing them compete as a team with pride dignity, and honor.
Lastly, I know you preach being better people, getting the kids to college, and being great after sports. A lot of your athletes have signed college scholarships to continue their academic and athletic careers. How awesome is that to see?
It is the ultimate prize. Not rings, jackets and trophies.Going to college can open brand new doors and opportunities for all students’ athletes, which can create a better way of living from what most of them are used to.