Jakob began playing tennis at the age of three and joined JTCC when he was nine. He trained in the High Performance program for nearly a decade from 2012-21.
“The coaching, mental conditioning, and fitness programs created a balance between working hard and having fun,” Jakob said. “That balance kept my love for tennis alive. Even though tennis is an individual sport, JTCC fostered a team atmosphere. The diverse coaching structure and focus on resilience taught me to push myself.”
Currently a sophomore studying mechanical engineering and playing NCAA Division I tennis for Boston University, Jakob applies the lessons learned from JTCC to both his academics and entrepreneurial pursuits.
Jakob credits JTCC’s environmental initiatives, such as the Recycle Balls program, for inspiring his work. Orobor currently collects discarded strings from 30 facilities and is expanding into more clubs nationwide.
“I wanted to create a solution to reduce the environmental impact of microplastics and CO2 emissions because I’ve seen firsthand as a player how much string we go through,” Jakob stated. “Seeing the Recycle Ball program at JTCC when I was younger showed me the importance of giving back to the community.”
Though busy with Orobor and college, Jakob remains connected to JTCC and keeps in touch with other alumni and coaches and visits when he can.
“JTCC shaped me as a player and a person,” he said. “The lessons I learned there continue to guide me in everything I do.”
