Jan Jessop, former CIF San Diego Section commissioner and ‘high school athlete’s best friend,’ dies

Jan Jessop, the CIF San Diego commissioner from 1996-2001 and an early advocate for girls sports, died last week at age 88.

Jessop was the San Diego Section’s third commissioner, following Don Clarkson (1960-1976) and Kendall Webb (1976-1996). Jessop was followed by Dennis Ackerman (2001-2011), Jerry Schniepp (2011-2022) and current commissioner Joe Heinz.

Jessop, who was honored by the San Diego High School Coaching Legends Hall of Fame as a Bob Breitbard Meritorious Achievement Award Winner in 2003, started her career as a PE teacher at Valhalla High School before moving to Granite Hills and into administration.

“Jan served our organization with distinction for more than two decades — as assistant commissioner from 1976 to 1996 and as commissioner from 1996 until her retirement in 2001,” Heinz said. “Her steady leadership, integrity and unwavering commitment to student-athletes and education-based athletics left a lasting legacy across our section and beyond.

“Jan will be remembered not only for her professionalism and dedication,  but also for the warmth, respect and fairness she brought to every part of her work. She made a meaningful impact on countless lives.”

Ackerman called Jessop “a super person, a legend and the high school athlete’s best friend.”

He read a poem honoring Jessop at the High School Coaching Legends 25th annual Awards Dinner three days before she died.

“She will be missed,” he said.

No services have been announced.