Texas Woman's University Athletics

Cathy Jacobson played an instrumental role in the success of the TWU softball team after the program’s rebirth in 1997.

The Fridley, Minnesota, native started in centerfield and served as the team captain for the Pioneers from 1997-2000. She holds numerous TWU career records, including at bats (630), runs scored (157), stolen bases (154), games played (199), games started (199), fewest errors (2), and fielding percentage (.995).

After a 1999 season that saw her hit a career-high .431 and steal an NCAA Division II-leading 71 bases, Jacobson was chosen as the Lone Star Conference South Division Most Valuable Player and became the first-ever TWU player to be named to the NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-America team.

She was a four-time All-LSC First Team selection (1996-2000) and a three-time choice to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-South Central Region team in 1998, 1999 and 2000. On two occasions, 1999 and 2000, she was picked to the LSC All-Tournament team. In 1996-97 and again in 1999-00, she was honored as TWU’s Outstanding Athlete for Softball. She won the 1999-00 President’s Award, the highest accolade given to a current TWU student-athlete. In 1998-99 and 1999-00, she was awarded the Jo Kuhn Award for outstanding leadership.

Known by her nickname, Jake also excelled academically during her college career. She consistently made both the TWU Dean’s List and the National Dean’s List. From 1997-2000, she was an NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete and a part of the LSC Academic All-Conference squad. In 1999 and 2000, she was selected to the GTE Academic All-America District VI first team and the GTE Academic All-America team. She graduated from TWU in December 2000 with her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and then earned her master’s degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from North Carolina State University after being awarded the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

“I was speechless,” Jacobson said about her reaction to her Hall of Fame selection. “And for people who know me, that’s not something that happens very often. I am truly honored to be joining the TWU Athletics Hall of Fame and have my name alongside women such as Jo Kuhn, Kitty Magee and Dianne Baker. The induction ceremony is going to be very special and I’m looking forward to coming back to Denton in April and seeing my TWU family.”

Jacobson resides in Raleigh, North Carolina.