Jackson Degner is a standout defenseman on the ADVNC Sacramento and ADVNC NDP ‘22 team who is committed to play at Bryant University starting next Fall.
Jackson grew up loving lacrosse in Granite Bay, CA
Jackson’s parents, Keith and Stacey, are both from California and moved to Chicago for a couple of years when Jackson was a young boy. “We were driving down the street one day and I saw some kids playing lacrosse,” Jackson said. “I thought it looked cool and fun, so my parents took me to the local sporting goods store and got me a beginner’s stick.”
“Jackson was mesmerized,” Stacey Degner said. “Our neighbor saw him playing, and started playing catch with him. He loved it and started carrying that little stick around with him everywhere.”
The Degners soon moved back to California and settled in the Sacramento area. “We were driving down the street one day and saw a little sign that said they were having youth lacrosse tryouts in Granite Bay. We said “WOW, they have lacrosse here now too. We signed Jackson up. The minute he put on a helmet and pads and realized he could run around and hit other kids with his stick and body, he was hooked. He was right in his element.”
“Soon after that, we went to another sporting goods store in Sacramento,” said Jackson. “I remember seeing a lacrosse defensive pole for the first time and saying ‘oh my gosh, what is that?’ I had no clue what it was, but it looked like I could do some damage with it. I’ve played DPole ever since.”
Jackson often drove 7+ hours roundtrip for ADVNC practices.
Jackson played in a city league at first and then played for All West. He was starting to get better and loved the game, and wanted to take his skills to another level. The Degners heard about ADVNC, and started driving nearly 3 hours each way so Jackson could play for the ADVNC SF ‘22 team. “Playing with ADVNC did everything for my son,” said Stacey Degner. “From the coaching, to the friendships and just playing on a really good team. We would drive at least seven hours a day, roundtrip, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Those car times were so valuable, just talking with my son and some of his friends.”
Jackson has brought passion to ADVNC since an early age.
ADVNC eventually expanded to Sacramento where Jackson became a leader on his ADVNC Sacramento ‘22 squad, but he still commuted to Atherton for some SF and NDP practices. Jackson’s summers were filled with trips to the East Coast to play with his ADVNC teams. It was around the 8th grade that his dream of playing DI lacrosse was born. “I would watch tapes of myself playing,” Jackson said. “I studied how I could get better. I knew I was good enough to play in college. I wanted to always play with the best team I could possibly find. That’s why I wanted to play DI and play with people who took the game seriously.”
Jackson and his ADVNC teammates have a special bond.
Jackson was approached by top East Coast boarding schools in the 8th grade, but his parents were not ready for him to leave home. He made the Granite Bay High School Varsity team as a freshman, the only freshman to make the team, and started for the team his freshman year. That was a sign to Jackson and his parents that his hard work was paying off. He continued to work hard in Sacramento and play for ADVNC. “ADVNC helped Jackson so much,” said Keith Degner. “They taught him the whole IQ of where you need to be on every play, how to run plays and work together as well as the overall skill set of what is required to be a great player. My wife and I loved the ADVNC families. Traveling to the tournaments pulled us all together, and ADVNC became an extended family for us. Going to ADVNC tournaments was our family vacation for many summers. All the families had the same aspirations and desires as we did. The same discipline and drive in life. We were surrounded by like minded and driven individuals.”
“ADVNC has been great,” said Jackson. “When we practice together, it’s way different than practicing with other teams I am on. Everyone is pushing each other. Everyone is at the top level. Everyone is really good.”
When September 1, 2020 came along and college coaches could officially start recruiting Jackson, he relied heavily on ADVNC Founder & CEO Chris Rotelli for guidance. “Jackson had two parents who didn’t play any sports in college,” said Stacey Degner. “We were clueless. Chris Rotelli was there for us, every step of the way. Jackson would not have the opportunity that he has without Chris.”
“We didn't know who the good coaches and good programs were for Jackson,” said Keith Degner. “Coach Rotelli talked us through all that. He was able to guide us through it.”
Through ADVNC NDP, Jackson has played some of the top players in America, including Joey Spallina in the Fall of ‘20.
Eventually, Jackson decided between Boston University and Bryant University, ultimately choosing Bryant, who is led by Head Coach, Mike Pressler. “I love how upbeat Coach Pressler is. I like how aggressively his team plays. I’m so excited for how aggressive and fast paced his practices are and how he lets the players just play their game. All the guys on the team are very serious about the sport and all want to win a national championship. That’s my goal.”
“Coach Pressler was incredibly impressive when he spoke to us,” said Keith Degner. “He spoke a lot about loyalty. He spoke a lot about how much Bryant will help Jackson when he graduates. His program is up and coming while some other schools were more entrenched. It feels like Bryant is a program making a surge and it’s nice to be a part of that.”
Jackson prides himself on the work he puts into developing his body and his game, and he plans on taking that to the next level. “I go to work with my trainer almost every day at 6am. Then I check the temperature to see when it will be the hottest so I can go to the field then and do my ladders and running to prepare for the East Coast heat.”
“I’m going to miss my boy,” said Stacey Degner. “Watching him play lacrosse for ADVNC has been such a huge part of our lives. Going east for tournaments, all those drives down to Atherton. It’s going to be a huge void in our lives, but he is so ready for this. He has worked so hard and I am so excited for him.”