AUBURN, Ala. – Sara Elizabeth Jackson's association with Auburn baseball began when she joined the Diamond Dolls her freshman year.
She served as treasurer her junior season and as president during her senior year.
"An amazing organization," Jackson said of Auburn baseball's official hostesses. "It's fantastic."
A 2020 business administration graduate of Auburn University's Harbert College of Business, Jackson began working for Auburn baseball as a senior and was officially elevated to special assistant to the head coach this season.
"I do a little bit of everything," she said. "No job is off limits."
It might be easier to list what Jackson doesn't do for Auburn baseball than to enumerate what she does.
From onboarding new student-athletes to liaising with academics and compliance, handling office administrative responsibilities and assisting Greg Drye with operations.
"Whatever needs to get done," said Jackson.
Other duties as assigned.
"Which is awesome," she said. "It's taught me a lot. I never thought I would know how to do any of this, and I didn't when I came on. It's a learning curve but it's really fun. You end up getting super involved in every aspect of it."
Growing up in Atlanta in a baseball family, Jackson's brother played at Tennessee and her dad also played college baseball.
Jackson first considered attending Auburn after seeing how much an older classmate from her high school enjoyed the Plains.
"I visited Auburn, applied to two schools and said I'm going to Auburn either way," she said.
Auburn coach Butch Thompson looks for the same qualities in support staff that he prizes in student-athletes: trust and loyalty. With her go-getter mentality, Jackson seeks opportunities to elevate Auburn baseball.
"That always makes somebody great to your organization where you don't have to tell them everything to do or give them a to-do list," Thompson said. "Sara absolutely looks for ways to help the program. That's hard to teach and it's an unbelievable gift to us."
While the coaches focus on the field, Jackson handles the office.
"She bridges the gap," Thompson said. "She makes sure we don't miss anything."
The first person visitors see when entering the baseball offices at Plainsman Park, Jackson's ambassador role impresses Thompson.
"She's the face of our program," Thompson said. "She greets people properly and that's powerful. I feel great when I'm out on that field or if I'm out of town, I feel great that every stranger, alumnus or supporter is going to be greeted the right way. Sara is amazing at that."
For women aspiring to careers in college athletics, Jackson offers advice about the importance of being wholehearted.
"Once you get in it, you go all in on it," Jackson said. "If you love it, it's going to love you back really quick. If you don't, it's something that's going to eat you alive for a minute.
"It requires a lot of time and dedication and if you're not willing to do that, it's really hard. If you're going to be in this, it's got to be something you're truly passionate about."
On National Girls & Women in Sports Day, Auburn baseball salutes Sara Elizabeth Jackson, a behind-the-scenes standout.
"I love it every single day," she said. "Coming to work is incredible."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
