Seattle Pacific University Athletics

Seattle Pacific’s gymnastics program debuted in 1974. Along with it, a Falcon star was born.

Debbie Halle capped the Falcons’ first season with a national title on the uneven bars, a fifth-place finish on balance beam, and a second-place all-around finish. Her All-America performance in all three paced Seattle Pacific to fifth place in the AIAW national meet (open to all divisions, not just Division II). She also represented the United State in international competition.

Halle earned three All-America awards in 1975 (second on beam, seventh on bars, and third all-around). She added another All-America award in 1976 by taking fifth on beam at nationals.

By the time she graduated, she owned school records in each event and all-around. Some of those marks survived for 10 years. Her performance and lively personality – along with the feats of teammate Laurel Anderson (Tindall) – attracted media attention as the program was born. Tindall transitioned to Debbie’s coach as a junior and senior. Building upon that early success, Seattle Pacific remains one of the premier Division II programs to this day.

While at Seattle Pacific, Halle met her husband, Brad Jackson, who now is the head men’s basketball coach at Western Washington University. In addition to raising two children, she has taught, coached and advised the WWU cheer team. Recently, she opened her own coffee shop in Bellingham.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS (1974-77)

• Falcons' first national gymnastics champion (uneven bars).

• Member of inaugural team which finished fifth in the AIAW all-division national championships.

• Seven-time All-American.

• Established school records in all four events and all-around.