College is a time of freedom, when students get to leave home, go off on their own and experience new things. 

The Jackson sisters are experiencing all that together.

There are six children in the Jackson family, including Brooke Jackson, a sophomore guard for Arizona women’s basketball, and Cami Jackson, a freshman member of the Arizona women’s cross country and track and field teams. Both are in their first year at the UA.

Strong family ties and athletics are things that have been prevalent in the lives of the Jackson sisters. In high school, both girls ran track for Mountain View High School in Mesa, Ariz., and handed off to each other on the same relay team.

The choice of competing for the same college was just a natural progression.

“”After I signed, (Cami) signed a couple months later and that just made things so much better,”” Brooke Jackson said.

The athletes play different sports, but they still have a strong family connection to the UA. The university is two hours from their home in Mesa, and both girls are second-generation Wildcats — their parents Lynn and J.C. Jackson also attended the UA.

“”I took up basketball from my brother and my dad,”” Brooke said. “”(Cami) just wanted to run. She’s the Energizer Bunny.””

While Cami Jackson maintains that her sister being at Arizona was a large part of her decision to sign with the Wildcats, the school had to work for her, too.

“”It ultimately had to be a personal decision so that she could be happy where she is, and I could be happy where I am,”” Cami Jackson said.

The contrast between the two sisters is obvious. Brooke Jackson wears her hair straight, and Cami Jackson’s is beyond curly, and each sister has their own style and approach. But somehow they both found their way to Arizona.

Brooke Jackson is a transfer from Mesa Community College, and chose to come to Arizona because of the coaches and the Arizona basketball program, she said.

Cami Jackson was a standout in high school, earning Arizona All-State Cross Country accolades in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

“”Having each other definitely makes it a lot easier,”” Cami said. “”We have dinners together, Sunday dinners. It’s so much fun.””

Although their respective teams will become part of their extended family, both Cami and Brooke Jackson have the real deal in Tucson.

“”Definitely having the sense of family makes it easier,”” Cami Jackson said of having her sister attend the same university. “”You’re away from home but you still have a sense of home.””

The school wasn’t just the perfect athletic fit for the Jackson sisters — it was the best place family-wise as well.

“”I always wanted to stay closer to home,”” Brooke Jackson said. “”Also my mom and dad went here so there was some family tie there.””

Although some siblings choose to go their separate was for college, Arizona is one school where a siblings’ atmosphere thrives — look no further than the Gronkowski brothers on the football team and the newest addition of the Dondre and Nic Wise for the men’s hoops squad.

“”It’s just a comfort thing knowing that your sister is here,”” said Brooke Jackson about having her sister attend Arizona at the same time. “”We hang out a lot on the weekends. It’s really fun and has helped strengthen our relationship.””

“”It’s awesome just seeing her around McKale,”” added Cami Jackson. “”It’s just a good connection.””