Conant's Jacobson follows her instincts to Creighton

Kim Jacobson has always loved the cat family — especially the big ones like the lions, tigers, panthers, jaguars and leopards.

So how appropriate she plays softball — the sport she loves — for the Conant Cougars?

Jacobson has parlayed that three-year varsity career into a college scholarship.

The senior slugging third baseman, who hit 2 home runs in back-to-back innings against Maine West as a sophomore, has signed a letter of intent to play for Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

“I'm so excited for Kim,” said Cathy Smith, who was named the Mid-Suburban League “Coach of the Year” last spring by the Suburban Umpires Association. “She is a true Division I athlete, both on the field and in the classroom. It just took people seeing her at the right time (last summer in regional games with the Schaumburg Sluggers).

“It has her major and everything. It was a perfect fit for a great kid.”

Not too far from the Creighton campus is the nationally-renowned Omaha Zoo where Jacobson hopes she can get an internship.

Creighton's environmental science program was a key factor in Jacobson's decision because she would love to pursue her passion for animals.

“I'm looking into zoology,” Jacobson said. “I really would love to do their backpacking program in South Africa but it would be too hard because of my softball schedule.”

Jacobson helped lead Conant to its first Mid-Suburban League championship since 1974 as she batted .336 with 10 doubles and team highs of 39 RBI and 9 home runs. Jacobson made her official visit for softball in early October and fell in love with the school.

Her former Schaumburg Slugger teammate Brianne Lingl, who was an all-area player for Schaumburg, made her feel right at home as did the other Blue Jays.

“I immediately loved the campus,” Jacobson said. “I knew it was the right school for me because I didn't want to leave.

“The girls were all great and made me feel like I was already part of the team. I stayed with Brianne at her dorm. I got to watch their practices, which were basically like games. They are game fast.”

Jacobson said she was able to picture herself on the field while watching the practices.

“That's when I figured I was a Division I athlete,” she said. “I knew they had me come for a reason.”

Sure enough, Jacobson was offered the scholarship and signed her letter of intent last week.

“They told me I would play the corners (first and third base), and bat in the middle of the order,” said Jacobson, who grew up playing softball.

Her father Jeff and Frank Hill (former Hoffman Estates varsity coach) coached Jacobson's travel teams.

Kim's sister Jenny played at Conant and for the University of Chicago.

Jeff played football and baseball at Conant while Kim's mother Melody (formerly Zahakaylo) was a three-sport athlete at Conant — basketball, volleyball and track and field (state medalist low hurdles).

While Kim has focused solely on softball in high school, she stays quite busy off the field.

She puts in time with the Almost Home Foundation (foster home for adopted animals), Second City canine (rescued dogs) and a community assistance program at Friendship Village (retirement home) where she helps the elderly, including her grandfather who is a resident.

Kim also volunteers with the Schaumburg Athletic Association, teaching the game to younger players.