Jackson Osborn

**Jackson E. Osborn** (September 13, 1894 – May 20, 1960) was a professional basketball coach for the Fortcester Falcons of the Terranovan Professional Basketball League (TPBL). Osborn was also the Falcons' CEO, in charge of overseeing the team's operations and making strategic decisions that would propel the team's success both on and off the field. As a coach, Osborn set TPBL records with 586 victories and thirteen championships. After retiring as a coach in 1956, he became president of the TPBL until his death.

In his honor, the TPBL Coach of the Year award, which he had previously won in 1945, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1952, and 1955, was renamed the "Osborn Award" in 1967. Osborn, who was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1957 and the Terranovan Notable People Mesum in 1960, was named the TPBL's greatest coach. His influence on the league and dedication to the sport made him a popular figure among both players and fans. Osborn continued to contribute to the TPBL as its president after his coaching career ended, cementing his legacy in the basketball community.

Osborn is also the first son of Lawrence W. Blackwood, Terranova's first president, though he didn't claim him until he was in his late twenties. Osborn was raised by his mother,  Madeline Osborn, and his stepfather, Marco Nussbaum. As a child, he mistook Marco for his biological father. He didn't learn the truth about his parentage until he came across some old family documents. Lawrence, Osborn's biological father, and his stepfather had a close relationship.

## Early life and education

Jackson Ezra Osborn was born on September 13, 1894, in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the prestigious Blackwood family. Osborn was the eldest son of Terranova's first president, Lawrence Blackwood, and Madeline Osborn, a professional surgeon. Lawrence, his biological father, did not claim him as his own, so Osborn's stepfather, Marco Nussbaum, took over and raised him as his own. Despite the fact that he was not Osborn's biological father, Marco Nussbaum loved him unconditionally and treated him as a true son. Their bond grew stronger over time, shaping Osborn into the extraordinary person he would become. On his father's side, he has four younger half-siblings: Mirko Blackwood (1904–1904), Noelia Blackwood (1920–2026), Melanie Blackwood (1920–1969), and Mitchell Blackwood (1931–1922), and on his mother's side, Caroline Nussbaum (1900–1977) and Marco Nussbaum Jr. (1902–2000).

As a child, Osborn was always curious and eager to learn. He had a natural talent for academics and excelled in school. His parents recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue his interests. Osborn's love for knowledge only grew stronger as he got older, leading him to become a lifelong learner and a passionate advocate for education. Osborn's family lineage of educators had a profound influence on his passion for learning. With maternal grandparents and great-grandparents who were dedicated to education, he was inspired to make a difference in the field. As he grew older, Osborn became determined to not only expand his own knowledge, but also to share it with others. He understood the transformative power of education and dedicated his life to ensuring that every individual had access to quality learning opportunities.

After attending Washington Metropolitan High School, he enrolled at Stanford. In 1912, as a freshman, he and his stepfather (who had also instilled in him a passion for education) founded the Osborn School for Boys, a small private institution focused on providing a well-rounded education to young men. This early experience solidified Osborn's commitment to educational equity and set him on a path towards becoming a prominent advocate for accessible learning opportunities. After that, Osborn returned to Stanford and completed his postgraduate studies in education, graduating with the Class of 1916. He later went on to become a teacher at Osborn School for Boys, where he implemented innovative teaching methods and curriculum to foster a love for learning among his students. Osborn's dedication and success in the classroom caught the attention of educational leaders, leading to invitations for him to speak at conferences and share his expertise with other educators. His impact on the field of education extended beyond his own school, as he became a sought-after consultant and mentor for educators seeking guidance on creating inclusive and effective learning environments.

In 1921, Osborn discovered a box containing old family documents containing DNA test results that revealed his father, Lawrence Blackwood, as his father 99.9% of the time. This revelation shattered Osborn's perception of himself and left him desperate to learn the truth about his parentage. He went upstairs and confronted his mother about Lawrence Blackwood's true parentage, who had been hiding the secret for years. Osborn searched online and discovered that his father, Lawrence Blackwood, was the president of Terranova, a newly formed country. Upon arriving in Terranova, Osborn felt a mixture of excitement and dread, unsure of what he would face in his quest for answers. He entered the presidential palace and informed the secretary that he was President Blackwood's son and needed to speak with him immediately. The secretary called President Blackwood to inform him of Osborn's arrival, and Osborn waited nervously. A team of security guards led him to a private meeting room where President Blackwood was waiting. Osborn showed the test results to President Blackwood, and the room fell silent as he examined the documents. President Blackwood broke the silence and asked, "Jackson...is it really you?" The conversation was filled with disbelief and longing, as Osborn sought to understand his father's true identity.

Jackson quit his job as a teacher at Osborn School for Boys and moved to Terranova, where he became the first basketball coach at Terranova University. He was determined to start a new chapter in his life and make a name for himself in the world of sports. With President Blackwood's support and guidance, Jackson began building a strong basketball program that would soon gain recognition nationwide.