VERMONT SPORTS HALL OF FAME

(Photo Courtesy: SMC Athletics Communications)

St. Michael’s College

Contributor

Inducted 2014

George W. 'Doc' Jacobs, known as the father of the Saint Michael’s College athletic program, served as director of athletics and a coach of several sports from 1947 to 1968. He is the first VSHOF inductee from Saint Michael's College and the Hall's first Vermont college basketball coach.

Jacobs led the Purple Knight men’s basketball team to nine Vermont state championships and five New England championships. His SMC teams of 1958-60 made three straight appearances at the NCAA College Division (D-II) Elite Eight in Evansville, Ind. His 1958 'Iron Knights' team was the NCAA runner-up defeating host Evansville in the national semifinals before falling to South Dakota in the national title game. The second place finish is the best for any NCAA hoop program in Vermont.

His SMC football teams captured four straight state championships and his undefeated 1951 team won the New England college division title. Jacobs also coached his baseball and golf teams to Vermont state championships, making him the only coach to win state titles in four sports.

Saint Michael’s has honored Jacobs with the Doc Jacobs Classic basketball tournament, the Doc Jacobs athletic field complex and the Doc Jacobs Award, given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the athletic department regardless of athletic ability.

Prior to moving to St. Michael’s, Jacobs was a three-sport star at Villanova in the 1920s and later served as the school’s baseball coach (1933-43) and men's basketball coach (1929-36).

Jacobs is a member of the SMC Athletic Hall of Fame, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Helms Foundation (athletic directors) Hall of Fame. 

He passed away in 1968 at the age of 68.