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Texan has enjoyed his work at Prospect Meadows

June 2, 2021 | Angela Jordan

Jackson

Jackson Figenshaw grew up in Texas, but he always enjoyed visiting his father’s relatives in West Des Moines over the years.

That led to him attending the University of Iowa, and that led to him serving as an intern at Prospect Meadows the past two years.

“Ever since I was a baby, we would pack up the mini-van and drive up and visit them,” he related.

A relative encouraged him to consider going to college in Iowa City and Jackson decided to give the Hawkeyes a look. He visited the university and was impressed.

“I thought, ‘You know what, I’m going to find out what the midwest is all about’,” he said.

Jackson, who grew up near Houston in Sugar Land, Texas, recently graduated from Iowa. He’s received his degree in sports and recreation management, with an emphasis on sports business.

His academic work at Iowa required experience in his major field of study. He did some research on the internet last year and saw that Prospect Meadows was hiring an intern. He got the job, enjoyed it and returned this year.

“The environment is really great. Super-friendly staff,” he said.

Jackson has performed a variety of duties, from field maintenance all the way to working in the front office. There’s been a lot to learn.

“There’s a lot more to it than what you’d think,” he said.

Jackson has especially enjoyed working with the young boys and girls who play in the League of Dreams program, helping them with the fundamentals and helping them have fun.

“It’s great to be able to work with those kids,” he said. “Have fun and play in a non-competitive league.”

Jackson participated in football, wrestling and baseball for various lengths of time in high school. He’s worked in the past with an independent baseball team in Texas that’s now a minor league affiliate with the Houston Astros and would like to hook up with them again once he returns home later this summer.

Regardless of his next stop, Jackson has greatly enjoyed his time at Prospect Meadows.

“It’s been great and a lot of fun,” he said.

Angela Jordan