Everyone knows that athletics is a huge part of the tradition of success at Quincy University. But not many know how far that success truly goes.

Quincy graduates hundreds of students every year, each striving to take their athletic or scholar careers to the next level. They want to use the skills they learned at the university, both on and off the fields or courts, to see how far their potential can travel. For QU alumni David Jacob, he got the opportunity of a life time to see where his baseball career at Quincy University could take him.

Jacob left Quincy University in 2016 after he was signed to the Toronto Blue Jays on June 17th. A week later, he was assigned to play in the Minor League for the GCL (Gulf Coast League) Blue Jays. From here he moved to the Buffalo Bisons in 2017, and then to the Vancouver Canadians.

Last summer he was assigned to the Lansing Lugnuts in Michigan where he currently plays.

“My whole life it was a dream to be able to play professional baseball,” said Jacob. “I have been playing since I was 4 years old and I always told myself I was going to get drafted. So getting that call was just a relief and a dream come true because it was something that I worked 16+ years for.”

Quincy University baseball was one of many factors that helped lead Jacob towards his success. He says there was a lot of work put in to his baseball career at Quincy that helped get him to signing day. Quincy baseball Head Coach Josh Rabe was with him the whole time, helping him through his journey.

“He believed in me since day one,” said Jacob. “I think having a coach believing in me and never letting me settle for less got me where I am today,” he continued.

Former teammate Nick Genova was in Jacob’s graduating class, forming a good friendship with him on and off the field. Like many other teammates, Genova only had good things to say about his friend.

“He’s one of the best guys I know,” said Genova. “Hard worker, always competitive while still having fun and enjoying what he does,” he continued.

The minor leagues is not all fun and games, though. It is the stepping stones given to an athlete to help them further their athletic careers.

“I could name 100 things that are hard about the minor league!” Jacob laughed. “I think the hardest is the long days…there are 142 games in 160 days I need to prepare for, and we are at the field five hours before every game, then two hours after the end of the games,” he said. “It wears on you, and the ones who are ready day in and day out are the ones who succeed.”

Although still a difficult and challenging job, there are many pros to playing professional ball.

“It’s not all that bad,” mentioned Jacob. “You can make a kids night by throwing him a ball in between innings, and you have 10,000 fans screaming for you which gets your adrenaline pumping,” he continued. “Occasionally you’ll get to play with major leaguers too…and they’ll go over some things with you on how to be successful.”

David has many college friends and family that continue to support him in all his endeavors and future professional goals. It was an easy decision with his skill and talent for him to go pro and see where his baseball career could take him. A huge portion of his success could not have happened without Quincy Baseball.