A resident of Beloit, Herman Jacobson has been highly successful as a coach in both football and basketball. In addition he has established a solid record of service to the educational system of Beloit. While a student at Whitewater, Jacobson was a member of the football squad in 1920 and 1921. In addition he played basketball for the school for three years from 1919 to 1921. He was also active in track in 1920 and 1921 and was awarded a letter for his work in tennis. Following his graduation from Whitewater under the old three-year diploma program, Jacobson went to the University of Illinois, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in 1926, and earned his master's degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1932. His coaching experience began in 1921, when he joined the faculty of Cuba City high school. He taught at that location for two years and then moved to Monroe, where he stayed a single year. In 1926 he moved to Milbank, South Dakota, and was a teacher and coach for five years. Beloit became his home in 1932 and he has remained there since that time. From 1932 to 1946 Jacobson served as athletic director, head coach in football and basketball and a member of they physical education faculty at Beloit high school. In 1946 he was named to the position of Beloit Recreation director, and since 1960 has also served as coordinator for athletics for the Beloit Secondary schools. During his tour of duty as a coach at Beloit, Jacobson's teams were victorious in the state tournament on three occasions. They captured the state crown in 1933, 1934, and 1937. In addition his teams won six Big Eight championships and three Big Eight football championships. In 1945 he was elected as president of the Wisconsin Coaches Association. He was also instrumental in initiating the Wisconsin system of rating high school teams. Jacobson is a member of the National and State Education Associations, the Beloit Education Association, SWEA, National Recreation Association, Wisconsin Recreation Association, Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association, and the American Recreation Society. A veteran of World War I, Jacobson is also a member of the American Legion, Kiwanis, Masonis Lodge, Beloit Welfare Council, the Second Congregational Church, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Beloit Boy's Club. In 1965 Jacobson was singularly honored for his services to the Beloit community when he was named "Beloit's Outstanding Citizen" by the Beloit Junior Chamber of Commerce.
