In case Springville basketball fans have forgotten former star basketball guard Chad Jacobsen, there is now a banner in Springville’s gym to help them remember.

One of the greatest guards in school history was honored Tuesday night in Springville’s 53-38, win over Spanish Fork, with the hanging of a banner that lists his accomplishments. Daily Herald Player of the Year. All-State, state’s leading scorer, among other things.

“Last night it was great to be back in the gym at Springville High again. To see the excitement they have behind their teams right now and get in front of them at halftime to be honored was a great experience,” Jacobsen said. “It brought back a lot of good memories and good times. In my senior year I had the chance to play with the friends that we had grown up with. To have the opportunity to win a state championship, was amazing even though you come up short.”

It was 1998-99, when Jacobsen averaged a whopping 30.2 points per game and helped the Red Devils reach the state 4A finals, before falling to Timpview in the championship game.

He was given a framed photo to remember the season.

“It was a great experience. It’s been way overdue. It’s been 12 years since he graduated,” said Springville coach Chris Kitchen. “There was nothing at the school, not even a picture. Scott Hullinger, my assistant coach, brought it to my attention. It was a great experience and we had a packed house. We felt bad that it took so long but we’re happy to get it done.”

Jacobsen is second in all-time points scored at Springville with 1,234. He trails Preston Eaton who finished his career with 1,266.

What makes Jacobsen’s scoring total so impressive was he broke his leg just three games in and was out for the year when he was sophomore.

After Jacobsen left, Springville’s basketball program went through the spin cycle. He went on to play football at the University of Utah and is now working at a medical equipment company in Boise, Idaho.

After he graduated from Springville, the Red Devils posted an awful 8-94 record and became a 4A basketball bottom dweller.

So it was fitting that Jacobsen returned on Tuesday to watch Springville clinch its first outright region title since 1986.

Coach Chris Kitchen has turned the program into a winner and brought back the program’s biggest winner to celebrate.

“We’ve worked hard to turn the program around. Anytime you do that the head coach gets credit for it, but it can’t be done without great kids, the support of parents and having an outstanding coaching staff. It’s not just me, it’s everybody.”

Newsletter