Gary Jacobson, a native of Three Forks, Mont., is a 1971 graduate of Western Montana College (WMC) with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education with a physical education major and a minor in history.
“Jake” as he was known to fans and his teammates was a three-time all-conference selection, a two time all-district selection and in his senior season, was named an NAIA honorable mention All-American. He was a member of the Bulldogs 1968-69 conference championship and representatives to the NAIA national tournament in Kansas City, Mo.
As a junior, he led the Frontier Conference in free throw percentage with a sizzling 88.7 percent. Jacobson’s 24.7 points per game his senior season led the Bulldogs and the Frontier in scoring.,
Jacobson was also a hurdler for the Bulldog track team and was an active member of M-Club during his WMC career.
He began his professional career in Busby, Mont. on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation teaching physical education and serving as the head boys basketball, cross country and track coach.
Chinook, Mont. was his next stop where he taught physical education and history, and was an assistant football and boys basketball coach and the head track coach. He then spent one year in Centerville, Mont. teaching physical education and as the head boys basketball coach.
He left education for a seven-year gig with the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific railroad. Jacobson returned to education and taught and coached for 19 years in Darby, Mont. His retirement didn’t last long as Jacobson returned to the private sector working in telecommunications for five years.
Now officially retired and living in Missoula, Jacobson spends his time fly fishing or attending area sporting events. He married fellow Western student Mary Kay Pipinich of Anaconda, Mont. They are the parents of two sons.
