Dake It or Leave It

HOME: New York, New York (The Big Apple)

AGE: 21

PREP SCHOOL: Stuyvesant High

PROFESSION: Columbia quarterback and during the summer, production assistant for TelePromTer TV cat food commercials.

HOBBIES: Spent time as Brooklyn Field Officer for The International Society for the Protection of Animals in preparation for his political science major's honor thesis on "The Life and Plight of the Common Tabby Cat in Lower Queens During the 1920 s."

LAST BOOKS READ: How to Get a Teenage Boy and What to Do With Him When You Get Him, and A Handbook of Day Care for Infants under 13.

LAST ACCOMPLISHMENT: In a promotional advertising gimmick for last summer's job, he once singlehandedly put away for breakfast seven cans of "Nine Lives-Super Supper" between 125th and 218th St. on the Broadway IRT No. 1 train.

He also directed the rescue of over 9000 stray animals threatened by a new hydroelectric dam on the East River. Also author of Time is Short and The Water Rises.

FAVORITE SONG: Ooh-wah, ooh-wah, cool cool kitty

Talkin' bout the boy from New York City.

He looks cute in his mohair suit.

And he keeps his pockets full of spendin' loot.

He's no fine.

QUOTE: "To most people today, being a hunter is no longer being a hero. The killing of animals has become a moral issue ... animals belong to everybody, why shouldn't everybody learn to live with them? Something about the team? Well, this is the most talented and most experienced team we have had at Columbia in more than a decade. Anyone who saw our team play last year knows the type of daring, exciting football we play. Our first seven games were all decided by three points or less, the first time this has ever happened in college football history. We want to win the Ivy title this year. It's not going to be easy because the league is tough and well-balanced. But if we can stay healthy, there is no reason we can't make 1972 our championship year. The year of the Lion."

FAVORITE POEM: I love little pussy, her coat is so warm, and if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm.

LAST DISCOVERY: In the course of a long in depth talent search, he unearthed Morris, the now famous Puss 'n Boots talking cat, and led him through a successful but rigorous audition program, which netted a huge no-cut contract for Morris and a crisp pat on the back and congratulatory "well done" for Jackson.

PROFILE: Fussy. A finicky eater. An incisive mind. Handsome, Debonair. A forceful and articulate defender for the wild kingdom. His understanding of the natural and man-made laws concerning animals will lead others to a better appreciation of an animal's beauty and its crucial role in the balance of nature. Extremely smart, Quick reactions. Football MVP. Also lettered in baseball. Won Spanish award. Gutsy. Especially effective on rollout, but a good dropback passer too.

FAVORITE DRINK: Hairy Buffalo (real Tequila with a worm, Rheingold Beer, Hoods Milk, and a twist)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Today is the moment of truth for Jackson and his Lions in 1972. This afternoon's meeting with Harvard on Baker Field will determine if, in fact, the Lions' dream is still obtainable. Two Saturday's ago Jackson and his teammates were able to put 44 points on the board, while Fordham and its big offensive machine were only able to rustle up a big goose egg. Last week against Princeton, Jackson had his title hopes dampened when he could only escape from Princeton's Palmer Stadium with a tie. If they hope to win, the Lions must do better offensively today -- maybe they'll score. But alas, Don Jackson isn't a bad guy. After all, he does go out with a sophomore in Briggs and he did go to Study High. Can't ask for much more than that. But this is the big one. The Lions should be hungry after Saturday's bout with the Tigers but you've got to kill it before you can taste it and that may pose a problem today. This is it. How comfortably will the Lion sleep tonight. For Columbia it is simple. Don Jackson -- Now More Then Ever. They need him.