By Mia Laube
Alex Jacobson, a 2019 IGHSAU Softball Hall of Fame inductee, is a perfect example of a successful female athlete in the state of Iowa. She looks back on her career with great memories and a feeling of gratitude for the opportunities she had from start to finish.
Jacobson was able to start her varsity career at Cedar Rapids Jefferson right away, playing third base as an incoming freshman for the J-Hawks under coach Larry Niemeyer. From the get-go, she never looked back.
“Softball at Jefferson is a religion; every night the bleachers were filled with fans, the concession stand was stocked with the best-tasting food, and we went there to win,” Jacobson said. “During my high school career, we made it to the state tournament four out of five years and were ranked more often than not. I look back at the IGHSAU state tournament with fond memories.”
In the 2008 state tournament, Jacobson made the all-tournament team with a grand slam, one run and four RBIs. She then made a career out of slugging homers, moving onto Rockhurst University in Kansas City. There, she collected all-conference honors and an NCAA all-division record by hitting a home run in eight consecutive games.
She attributes much of her success to the support system she grew up with.
“Being a female athlete in Iowa taught me a lot about myself and reinforced my love for the game,” she said. “Everyone wants the best from you, and encouragement goes a long way.”
That encouragement allowed her to join the best high school players at the time as a first team all-state member in 2009 and 2010. Now, she will join the best of all time in the state that gave her so much.
“While I am no longer involved in softball, I am greatly honored to be inducted into the Iowa Softball Hall of Fame,” Jacobson said. “My high school days are some of my best memories, spending every summer out on the dirt. I am thankful for having the chance to play softball in a state that was so supportive of female athletes.”
Jacobson now uses the education softball provided her with as Certified Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant nurse at Research Medical Center in Kansas City.