Transcript: Tristan Jackson on Football, Entrepreneurship, and Building His Legacy at U.S.

Welcome back to the Late Star Show with me, Charlie Martin. And me, Jack Nelson. We once again hope you enjoy a nice break from waking up at the crack of dawn. Hopefully we can give you something good to listen to on your morning commute to school.

This week's interview is with senior Tristan Jackson and has some incredibly memorable parts and some inspirational words. But before we get to that great interview, let's first review what this week has to offer. Let's get to our sports section, shall we? First with soccer, the team picked up a win last Tuesday against Archbishop Hoban 1-0 on senior night and then traveled to Western Reserve Academy on Saturday to tie them 1-1 with Alex Borden scoring our one goal.

According to Max Pratt, this leads them to an overall record of 8-4-3 and a spot up in the state rankings to 34th. They travel to Gilmore on Thursday at 7 p.m. for their final game of the regular season and has a good revenge. Good luck to them. Next, in football, we had a big win against conference team Lutheran East last Friday, 31-14, to go to an overall record of 3-4.

The team has two games left in the regular season, with the team looking to beat the Cheney Cowboys this Friday at home at 4 p.m. The team is strong, but as always, our U.S. football team will be resilient and hopefully win to capital us into the final game of the year and into the playoffs. In golf, the team played at the OHSAA District Tournament at Pine Hills. They placed third out of 20 of some of the best teams in the state.

This means they will advance for the second time ever to the Division I state championship. The last time was in 2017, and they look to leave another mark on U.S. golf history. Junior Bennett Johnson led the group as he was the third best player in the entire tournament with a score of 70. The team leaves this upcoming weekend traveling to Dayton for the state championship on Monday and Tuesday.

We wish them good luck as they head to hopefully bring back another state championship. that we finally go to cross country where they travel to the legends meet at trumbull county fairgrounds on saturday and finish in fifth place out of 2016. senior jack o'neill led the pack again finishing in 21st place with a time of 16 minutes and 36 seconds having an average amount of time of 5 minutes and 22 seconds following him was junior ethan ansevin in 23rd place only four seconds later this is the team's final meet of the season and they did a great job this year putting in some amazing times Now, some of the biggest news around the school. This past week, the University School Rocketry team was selected to participate in NASA's SLI Engineering Challenge. It's a college challenge open to some of the best universities and colleges nationwide in 20 selected high schools. This year-long challenge will task the team to design, build, and fly a high-powered rocket following NASA milestones.

They will meet with multiple NASA engineers virtually for each stop of the mission. they will be invited to fly their mission in Huntsville, Alabama. Congrats to them. Next, looking at our week's senior speeches, we had excellent speeches from Jake Lobsanski and Andrew Voinovich, and look forward this week to a Thursday speech from Thomas Hedden, and next week to speeches from Zee McGee, Tyler Zyrow, and Casey Martin. Well, guys, that's enough from us about this week.

Coming up soon is an interview with football captain and entrepreneur, senior Tristan Jackson. his time playing football, his family, and some valuable life advice. All right, let's jump into it. Tristan Jackson, I'm next. Welcome back to the show.

We're here with Tristan Jackson, a.k.a. T-Money. Before we get started, what's your favorite nickname you've been called throughout the years? Oh, I mean, T-Money.

It's my original one. I mean, it's kind of what I had growing up. I had a bag, a custom bag that had T-Money on it. And the seniors, they made it a thing.

It was really a football thing, and everyone throughout the school year just started to call me. Okay, T-Money. So you're the football captain, big guy, loud guy. Some people might say you're a scary guy, but those are the people that haven't truly met you.

What do you think is your legacy at U.S.? Wow, my legacy. Never really thought about it, but I guess now that you say it, I mean, football captain, I mean, I love having it. The title is great, but I hate it being like an entitlement.

Some people feel like you're being entitled as a captain. I thought it would be more just a reward just because of efforts that you put in, the hard work that you have to put in to prove it. I mean, I really think my captainship happened because of all the leaders I've had before in my other years. I mean, just like your role models, I mean, you go after them and everything. on the football field being able to teach others or teach my younger guys uh for example bobby berglin uh one of my young guys uh definitely trying to help him out so he's prepared for varsity when he truly like plays and starts uh and other guys like darren just take him under my wing and trying to teach him the ways of how varsity football really is and then i guess outside of football i mean kind of just being a good person uh now I guess people say I'm scary.

That's kind of funny to me. I've never really gotten that one. I mean, I guess intimidation. I've gotten that for sure.

But I kind of want to be left here as just, like, a good person. It's just, like, knowing that it had an effect on certain people and a lot of people. I mean, and I guess my other thing that I have legacy-wise is probably being a baker here. I mean, that's a big thing.

People talk about it and ask me a lot about my baking and for me to bake. So, man, I guess that's probably my legacy. I know going off that football thing, I know you actually had the chance to play with your brother, right? He was a captain.

And what's really the importance of family to you? Because, I mean, you kind of talk about you mentoring other football athletes. What was it like with him on your team? Man, oh, man, I had him for two years, my freshman year and my sophomore year.

My freshman year, it was just like, you know, you got to see your brother just play and really see what he does. I mean, like, because you do the work behind with him. Behind closed doors, you're both doing the same thing. physical appearances are a lot different. So just my freshman year sitting on the sideline and really seeing him work and play, I mean, it was great.

My sophomore year, being able to work as hard as I possibly could in big varsity and try to get some playing time and then to be able to, in the last couple of games, play right next to him, I mean, that's one of my greatest moments. Yeah, being able to play beside him, I mean, it's really different. And I really found out what varsity football was Playing with him, like the pace is so fast and so much faster than like JV and freshman. Because there's been certain plays where he made the tackle right when I got off the ball as a sophomore.

And it's like I move so much slower than he would. So you really just like get to realize like, wow, this is how I want to be. And you just see how you could achieve it. I mean, it was a great for him to have me.

For me to have him as a Roboano. You know, to talk about captain stuff and just regular stuff with him. And to be able to talk about it with him now, it's even better because he has a way better understanding of football because he's playing in college now. So, I mean, yeah, family means a lot to me.

I mean, in my senior speech, I talked about my dad and my dad had cancer. And so, yeah, family means a word to me. I always, like, say in my family, I always say, I mean, we always have our morals as God, family, money. Yeah, we cherish a lot of each other, just, like, making sure everyone's okay. and checking in on everybody.

Just something we've done for however long I've been alive, really. So, yeah, it means everything. And I know you said going back to football, playing alongside your brother was one of your favorite memories. Do you have any other football memories that you really enjoy?

Man, oh, wow. Wow, damn. Besides that, that's hard. I guess last year probably Bay and Gilmore, Bay, we came back. down 17-0 and uh be able to play in that and like really experience it is something it's really crazy I mean for the whole team not even like really get down on their shoulders and just lift lift everybody back up to come back I mean it was great honestly and like even playing defensively in the game you get a couple stops and get the momentum going I mean it's crazy and also Gilmore last year I mean it was probably one of my best games I've ever played oh I just had a lot of fun out there But I guess my favorite memory so far, probably getting my first varsity pancake.

You just remember the memory forever. It's just your really first big play as an offensive lineman. You know, one of the things I've personally been wondering all the time is in the final moments right before we go out to go play, you put on your headphones. Right.

And you're listening to something. I've always wondered, what is it you listen to right before you go out? And is it? I don't know.

I've always wondered, like, in that moment, where are you feeling and where you listen to? Wow. Yeah. I've been doing it since my I really started it my sophomore year.

So obviously, up until the game, I'll listen to music. I guess my music genre is very different. I guess for weight games or regular home games to walk down to the field, obviously. as a kid you know you're a rap sometimes but usually like during throughout the game my pregame I don't listen to any rap um try not to I mean it hikes certain people up it's not really me so to your answer so every song I listen to before the the game when we go out before Mabasa comes in is uh it's Rocket Love by Stevie Wonder uh it means a lot to me because it's my uncle's favorite song uh before he died and I really never understood the meaning of it of why he liked So much, but now listening to it every game, I mean, like, it's kind of a ritual I have to do. Like, if I don't get it in, I don't think I play well.

I mean, it's, like, kind of a superstition. And, like, the one time I didn't get it in, we lost, I mean, like, I've lost more games than not getting in the song, but I really played horrible that game. And I just always try to get it in. Even if I can't get it in before I go out, at least I get it in my pregame walk, that, and John Legend, Ordinary People.

Those are probably my two songs that I listen to. Every pregame before I go out. I try to get one or the other in before Before I get rushed out on the field. So yeah, those are that's my song.

I always put my headphones on and tune out all the noise too. It's just something Something that calms me down. I mean for some people it could be rap. I mean it's just soul and that But yeah, I mean you can always ask my teammates about that.

I mean they could probably tell you. I don't talk to her in a pregame. where it's uh you know guys uh always talk about how in practice i can be like super active and like go happy go lucky and just like kind of messing around but like having fun but oh yeah when we really get to the games i i don't talk i try not to uh i try to just lock in and focus on myself uh really just something i've always done because once i really do that i finally like actually relax you know because when you're not calm and relaxed you end up having some tense nerves and i've had that back to my where I remember I jumped half all started. Man, just because of nerves. I wasn't really calm and didn't really have trust in myself because I haven't played it before.

So, yeah, that's really why. Do you talk when you're on the field? Do you trash talk at all? Yeah, here and there.

I mean, obviously, it's a part of the game. I don't do it heavy. I talk a little bit on the field too, but in general, I don't really talk that much. Charlie would probably back me up on this.

I mean, he's there with me mostly. time now trash talk long field not really as much as you would think i mean it can be here and there like really depending on like who you play yeah only if someone makes you mad yeah you gotta it really depends on yeah it definitely depends on how you play you know if it's a friend then you know i mean obviously there's gonna be trash talk but even if it's a team where i mean like you feel like you're getting on your nerve and but you're like dominating yeah that's when it really kicks in but i try not to i just try to dominate my opponent where there can be no trash talk. I know one of the most important things for me, too, is balancing football, school. I know you have your company, like, TJ Sweets, like, all these different things. Is there, like, what is that balance for, like, that mental health balance between all three of those, like, for you?

Honestly, journaling. My junior year, so last year, I took up Ryan's class, and he made you journal. And really, he got all the right thoughts down. So I guess that's something I've really taken with me, you know, journal. to just make sure everything's cool, calm, and collected.

And my mom and dad help me with organizing. My mom helps me most with organizing my plan and time out. That's really how I keep my mental state. They always make sure I'm okay.

They check with me every day. Make sure I'm being able to balance it. And then I just also come to my own balance of, like, during football season, I know I'm not going to be able to really work with the company as much. That's really just football and school.

But then after football season, I really shift the focus to school and baking. So I've always had a better balance now that I'm doing so much. But no, there have been points where it's like I've hit just like, wow, I got a lot to do. Especially like as a senior applying to colleges.

Yeah, there's some times when like I got to bake for an order, then I football, and then I have school as well. So trying to find that equal balance, it is hard, I'll tell you that much. It's sometimes a struggle, but being able to have the people I have around, me. It helps me out the most.

And let's go to that baking business called TJ Sweets. Why did you start that? So I started my freshman year. The reason I started it, so I really wanted this game for my Xbox at the time.

Forget the game. I think it was Call of Duty. And my parents were like, well, we're done buying you these games. And that was like the new gens.

They're like $80. So they're like, we're done. We can't do it anymore. You got to figure out how to make money.

And they're like, figure it out. your own. And so really I saw people always selling at every cafe. And I was like, how do I do it? And then I talked to Brandon Parks, an old senior when I was a sophomore.

Well, actually, an old junior when I was a sophomore. And I was like, how do I get into what you're doing? And he showed me the way and took me to Mrs. Draegard.

And then we had a meeting and talked about, well, what could I do? And all of a sudden, something that came to my mind was desserts. Everyone loves sweets. Almost everyone sweet too and it's something like undeniable and chocolate chip cookies came up because it was like i thought it was a staple and just being able to start off with that gives you something to move around with i mean so i started off with chocolate chip cookies and my cert my first selling thing i did at the school something small made like 125 in that day had enough to buy the game and then they were like you should sell a market since it did so well and i went to shaker square market and obviously presentation was horrible i mean you did nothing you i literally look like i just had literally started a day ago and i mean presentation was horrible my me trying to speak to public was horrible i was very like shy and not really outgoing and so being able to try to like sell super hard but it worked and then i guess getting up to the point of now i really have made most of my progress just because talk to so many people like you go to so many events you meet so many people and you just get to share your story like so i guess the real reason i did it was just to make money because i was at a point in time like i want something and since it hasn't stopped and it's been going so well i just like continue with it and i'll probably take it on to college i mean why not it's been um it's been really good up until this point so i mean yeah i really started it just so i was like yeah i can buy this game i was just super trigger happy but no God also has taught me some valuable lessons of just handling money, saving, putting away, investing time, return on investment.

I mean, just those like key things, you know, like being able to budget. I've gone over budget sometimes with the baking, you know, being able to profit still. Because if you buy so many ingredients, you don't profit. Well, that's when it gets really bad.

I've been at those points and then you're recovering and you finally recover. you have to replenish or restock. So then you're back into the negatives. So it really takes, it took me a really couple events to really get into the really profit margins, the really good profit margins, just because of how much time and energy it takes to even buy everything. Like, I really didn't know until I really jumped into it.

I thought it was just going to be a breeze, a walk. You know, when I was talking with everybody else about you, because I know, I mean, kind of back to that first question that we said, You know, you play football. You know, you're a big company. But, like, really you at the core, I mean, at least I hadn't seen until you were seeing your speech, which was great, by the way.

Like, I loved it. One of the things that was interesting, though, was when I was talking to people, they said, like, you use baking pretty much as, like, an outlet, which is great. Like, I think that's really, really cool. What does that mean to you, like, using baking as an athlete?

And how do you think the U.S. community has, like, reacted to it as a whole? Because everybody I talk to loves the cookies. Oh, man. Well, honestly, I've always been baking.

I baked with my mom growing up, you know, during holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, you know, baking just as a thing to just bond, you know, have joy. And my outlet really became that during that time period with my dad just because when you're doing it, you're by yourself. You really get to think. And thinking for me at that time was probably the best thing I've ever needed in my life.

Truly, just being able to really fine-tune my product and really focus on, like, me in that sense. Because when you're doing it, the time in between, you can do whatever. I mean, really, once the product is in the oven, I mean, you have, it feels like a lot of time just because of how long I've been doing it. But you can think and jot down ideas.

And really, that's what I did. I guess, really, to your point of, like, people truly knowing me to my deep core, until that point my really deep core that people I guess don't know about me is like I'm not really as outgoing as people think I mean I show it but I guess my bigger deep thing that I got I guess clinical high is like I said just certain things are super close to me like my dad it took me two years to share that story the only people who knew were the people I showed in my speech and maybe a little couple Now, the reason I shared that is because I just wanted to finally get it off of my chest. And it was one of those things I wanted to share. I've been wanting to share it for a little bit.

And the reason why I truly did it was I finally got to talk to my dad about it. And finally talked to him about what truly happened. Because I really didn't know what truly was happening. And as a kid, I'm just trying to get through high school.

And then that little roadblock hits. And you're like, whoa, what's going on? about it and really gives a blessing to let me share the speech was just a relief. I mean, because I felt the pressure. And I mean, when you get to the senior speech process too, you really want to share something that people don't know you for.

And sharing something that people didn't know me for was probably my biggest thing. Like everyone knows me for football. Everyone knew me for banking. So I wanted to leave a mark on who I really was.

And I felt like I accomplished that. And if I did, I wanted to do that because if I thought about football or baking, I don't think people would really pay attention. I mean, like, they would. Just be nice, woo-hoo.

Pat on the back, you talk about what you love. But, yeah, I mean, I really did it to really express myself. Kind of show who I truly am. Because there are points in life where we're not in a different community of, like, vulnerability people believe is bad.

But I believe vulnerability is good. you learn and other people can show empathy or talk about their moments. And I'm hoping that my senior speech and obviously senior speeches before that were great, talk about more personal stories of how just like what really changed them instead of just like your basic ones. I think that's kind of my biggest thing I've always wanted at US because I mean, I could tell you now, there's some speeches I remember and then there's some that I just don't because they just weren't important. They just weren't impactful.

So I definitely just want more people to talk about the impactful things in their life because that's what you remember. Those are what people are going to remember you for instead of what you were mainly remembered for. Yeah, it's the emotion that connects people. You know, one of the things I've almost had a tradition of asking everybody, and I think I'm going to get a really interesting answer from you, is if you had unlimited power to change one thing at this school, what would it be?

Unlimited power. Wow. I'd bring back driving down to the fields. It's funny.

I mean, yeah, we talk about it. I'd bring back probably driving down to the fields. It's not that bad. Yes, but you, I mean, people speed, and you can kill that off and bring it back.

It's not that bad. I mean, yeah, I don't know. That's a good one. I like that one.

Yeah. I mean, the dress is not, I don't care for it. Okay. Eventually you're working and you have to wear it.

So it's not that bad. In some colleges you have to wear suits. So it kind of sets you up. It gives you a routine.

It's my other thing. Letting people go back out to get lunch. I mean, because some days, yeah, there might not be the lunch you want, but then you have a craving for something else. So, like, why not allow you to just go get it?

If you can, why not just go get that food? I don't think they're a very big problem with it. really talk to our friends and sponsors and really bond. I understand. Completely.

And you should. But, I mean, from the stories I've heard from my dad, he's like, yeah, we'll just leave and go get food and then come back for our next class. We'll even have to stay at the school like you do. I guess those are my two main ones.

I don't really have any other crazy ones that I care for, honestly. I mean, the school is pretty fine. It's not really that I can really critique. It's, like, super, like, neat to happen.

Not that I can say for my four years being here. I'm like, oh, this has to happen. If it doesn't happen, everything is going to be hot. Is there anything else, if you could give advice to an incoming freshman or younger kid that you want to leave with them?

Any advice that you just want to end it with? Yeah. I guess my one biggest thing is take advantage things that us gives you i mean there's tons of activities plans and clubs you can join i mean if you take advantage of them you really enjoy yourself and set yourself up i'd say i did and that's how well tj suites happened um it's really my biggest thing if i didn't do that i really think i would have had a i would have had a tremendous tremendously different experience here i'd definitely say do that and find your group i mean find your friend find your people Because there's so many different types of groups here. You should be able to find your niche, I hope.

And I guess my last thing is figure out who you really want to be. And be your true self. Don't put a mask on and try to be someone you're not just because you feel that they're not going to like you for who you are. Really just be who you are, honestly.

Well, that has been an absolute great interview with Tristan. Thank you so much for coming on. No problem. By the way, to our listeners, thank you so much for tuning in.

And we hope you join us next Wednesday for another episode of the Late Start Show. Thank you to your money.