My Carolina Experience: Mike Jacobs
April 15, 2015 | Track & Field
My Carolina Experience: Mike Jacobs
By Zoya Johnson, GoHeels
At the age of 12, Mike Jacobs discovered competitive running by teaming up with his next door neighbor and best friend.
He stuck with it all through middle school and high school, and showed signs of improvement and an innate talent. When it came time to decide whether or not to continue pursuing his passion for cross country in college, Jacobs knew he wanted to be a part of a team where running would not be the only thing that mattered. Thus, he looked into opportunities that would allow him to run at a university that would also provide a world-class education. That search led him from Fredericton, New Brunswick to Chapel Hill.
“I accepted the Morehead-Cain Scholarship once I was certain I would be able to continue running. When I got the nod to walk onto the track team at Carolina there was no turning back. I cherished the opportunity to be a Tar Heel and to be a part of a tradition of excellence.”
Once on campus, Jacobs' goals for athletics at Carolina were all grounded in bettering himself while contributing to the team. As an athlete Jacobs saw continued progress during his first four years here and it was the chance to continue on that path that convinced him to stay for a fifth. In his fifth year he has steadily chipped away at times and become even more of an asset to the team, but as every student-athlete at Carolina will tell you, Jacobs' Carolina experience was not just about how he did in competition.
“I've seen what it's like to have an incredible mentor and friend in a coach. Someone who has devoted his life to your betterment as a person and athlete is something I know has been invaluable to my growth. There is a bond that you have with your teammates and coaches that I don't really think you get anywhere else other than through athletics.
“Our coach (Mark VanAlstyne) always says our number one recruiting asset is the current team. He is right because it's through them that recruits get a glimpse of all the things that set us apart from other institutions. There are so many special facets about life at Carolina that are inexplicable – it almost becomes daunting to try to explain – and the recruits that come visit can feel what can't quite be put into words.
“Sense of community is huge at UNC. The school and community have instilled in me and my peers a sense that we always have something to give at every stage of our lives whether it's through athletics, academics, or community service. Coming to Carolina and seeing the Carolina family and how it interacts with the Chapel Hill community is just one of the most special experiences of my life and I'll take that with me wherever I go.”
During his junior year at Carolina Jacobs took his involvement to the next level and became a Student Athlete Advisory Council representative for the track team. He took it a step further the following year and then again in his fifth year by becoming co-chair of the committee.
Through his involvement with this soundboard between Athletics Department administration, student-athletes, and academic offices on campus, Jacobs saw an opportunity to be directly involved in protecting and bettering the student athlete experience. As a result, it has also been a direct link to affect the changing and more united culture of the campus as a whole.
“Well beyond my growth as an athlete and as a student, I think what Carolina has given me is growth of character and self-awareness. I've realized the kind of person I want to be beyond my professional and athletic life. Although that may not be absolutely unique to Carolina, it is certainly rare in colleges and universities. I think at Carolina you get a very holistic education and I'm very humbled and feel very lucky to have gone to a school that taught me so much about myself and how to find my place in the world around me. I feel that that just speaks to the Carolina way.”
Through the Morehead Cain Scholarship, Jacobs was able to take his learning further outside of the classroom than he originally realized. “It's hard to express just how fulfilling and rewarding my summers were as a Carolina student-athlete, all of which were afforded through my relationships with the Scholarship and Carolina Athletics. Between 10 great semesters in Chapel Hill I had five, absolutely incredible and diverse summers that together provided the type of personal growth and skill development that you just can't replicate in a traditional class.”
Players Mentioned
