Track and field's Jacobs is dean of MCC coaches
Mesa, AZ – Track and field coach Steve Jacobs is not only the dean of MCC coaches, but one of the most successful in school history as well.
Jacobs, a University of Arizona graduate and an outstanding athlete in his own right, has been the T-Birds' head coach since 1989, meaning he is entering his 32nd year guiding the men's and women's programs both indoors and outdoors. Unfortunately, Mesa records are spotty, but it is believed that only former women's tennis coach Penny Powell, who led that program for 33 years, has a longer tenure in MCC history.
Jacobs' success is not just in length of service, but outstanding accomplishments as well.
During the previous 31 seasons Thunderbird teams have rarely finished outside the top 20 at NJCAA national championships. In fact, Mesa has placed in the top ten 32 times and the top five on four occasions. All have come in NJCAA Division I competition where schools are allowed to offer room and board with their athletic scholarships and can award them to out of state residents, something MCC is prohibited from doing by the Maricopa County Community College District.
Still, the quality of athletes Jacobs has been able to attract to MCC has been amazing. The T-Birds have had at least 37 individual national champions and many dozens of All-America honorees over the years.
Mesa also hosted the NJCAA national championship meet in 2014.
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