“I just love soccer,” she said. “I’ve only been playing for a total of four years. My friends and family say I smile more and, believe it or not, I don’t feel as much pressure on the soccer field.”

After a visit to Division III Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, Tracey felt right at home and knew that was the right choice.

“The campus is absolutely beautiful, (but) it’s not huge, so it’s easy to get around,” she said. “The professors I met were very friendly, and the weather is warm and no snow,” she added with a smile.

And what about the soccer program?

Submitted photo
In this file photo, Eisenhower goalie Tracey Jakubczak makes a save during a soccer game last season.

“They made me feel really welcome,” Tracey added. “They seemed like they are a close team and the coaches are just fantastic humans.”

Tracey is the daughter of Wendy MacQueen and Ryan Jakubczak of Russell/

“It’s exciting to think she is now a college student athlete. I know that there is going to be a period of adjustment for sure, and with how hard she works, she has to be careful to not let herself get burned out in the process, but this has been her dream, so I know she will give it everything she has in her to be successful in the classroom and on the field,” Wendy said.

Ryan, a former college athlete himself, is fully aware of what his daughter has ahead of her, but hasn’t lost focus of just what Tracey has accomplished.

“She is just a natural athlete. She has only been playing soccer for the last four years. I’m just so incredibly proud of her. Tracey will have to learn to manage her time, but once she figures that out, she’ll be fine.”

Tracey’s job protecting the net aligns perfectly with her career goal, as she will major in administration of justice with the goal of ultimately becoming a K-9 police officer.

“I’d like to stay in North Carolina,” she said. “I would love to play soccer professionally for a few years, if possible.”

Tracey’s high school soccer coach, Faith Johnson, has no doubt that Tracey can be successful at the college level.

“She is a natural athlete, her awareness on the field and ability to think steps ahead of what is actually happening is impressive,” Johnson said. “Catawba is getting an amazing person and a talented soccer player. Tracey just leaves a positive impression on everyone she meets. We will certainly miss her in the net for us this year, but I can’t wait to see how she prospers in this next chapter.”

Being nine hours away from home doesn’t bother Tracey, but her parents know that will be a challenge to see her play in person.

“It will be difficult for sure, but with technology to help us, we will do our best to see her whenever we can,” Ryan said. “Her mom has made a career change to be more available. I made the decision to quit my job and start a small business to have the freedom to participate in her college experience.”

Tracey Jakubczak may be a day’s drive from home, but she can’t wait to get started.

“It’s going to be a challenge for sure, but I’m ready for it,” she said with a smile.

ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Mayor Ezra Nanes issued a proclamation that named May 14 and 15 as Centre Gives and invited community members to participate.

Centre Gives is a 36-hour online giving event meant to highlight nonprofit organizations within Centre County through helping to raise funds and sharing fundraising practices. The event is set to begin on May 14 at 8 a.m. and end on May 15 at 8 p.m.

“Since its inception, Centre Gives has infused over 19.7 million dollars into local nonprofits, providing essential operational support for missions across the arts, animal welfare, education, the environment, Health, and Social Services,” Nanes said. “What began with 74 participating nonprofits has grown to over 220 in its 14th year, with more than 131,500 donations made during 468 hours of giving-reflecting the strength, growth, and enduring generosity of our community.”

The proclamation states that donating a minimum amount of $10 to one’s “favorite” nonprofit organization participating in Centre Give would make them eligible to earn prizes as well as a greater share of the $500,000 stretch pool provided by the Centre Foundation and the Hamer Foundation. 

Molly Kunkel, the president and CEO of the Centre Foundation, discussed Centre Foundation’s mission at the meeting and asked community members to donate during Centre Gives.

“Centre Foundation believes that everyone can be a philanthropist,” Kunkel said.

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE 

Springfield, Mass. – May 5, 2025 – Celebrating all of athletic and academic achievements from the 2024-25 academic year, Springfield College recognized the most outstanding performances and student-athletes at the annual Athletics Recognition Night held on Monday evening in Blake Arena.

The evening marked another successful year in athletics at Springfield College. Headlining the year was a New England Women’s And Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) title in football, NCAA Division III Championship Tournament appearances for men’s and women’s volleyball and football to date, while individually men’s gymnastics, women’s gymnastics, men’s diving, women’s swimming, wrestling, men’s track and field and women’s track and field teams sent student-athletes to their respective national championship events.

For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Be sure to tune into all Springfield College Athletic events by subscribing to FloSports. 

2024-25 Springfield College Award Winners

Outstanding Female Scholar-Athlete Award – Olivia Gentry – Women’s Volleyball

Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete Award – Will Jent – Football

Director of Athletics Leadership Award – Tyler Pohlman – Football

Spirit of Media Award – Ella Travaglino & Braedan Shea

Female Individual Sport Athlete Award – Nina Lamb – Women’s Swimming

Female Individual Sport Athlete Award – Maya Belog – Women’s Gymnastics

Female Individual Sport Athlete Award – Katherine DeFosse – Women’s Track and Field

Male Individual Sport Athlete Award – Kaleb Palacio – Men’s Gymnastics

Male Individual Sport Athlete Award – Christian Butler – Men’s Diving

Male Individual Sport Athlete Award – Jacob Deguire – Wrestling

Female Team Sport Athlete Award – Riley Donahue – Women’s Volleyball
Female Team Sport Athlete Award – Angela Czeremcha – Women’s Basketball
Female Team Sport Athlete Award – Callie Gendron – Softball

Male Team Sport Athlete Award – Arsen Shtefan – Football

Male Team Sport Athlete Award – Dylan Mulvaney – Men’s Volleyball

Male Team Sport Athlete Award – Jackson Lane – Men’s Lacrosse

May 5, 2025

PRINT

CHN Staff Report

Related Articles

David Carle

Despite another year of being wooed by multiple NHL teams, Denver coach David Carle said today he’s staying at the school. Carle agreed to a multi-year contract extension, the terms have not been fully disclosed.

“I am honored to have the University’s support for our hockey program over the last seven years and into the future,” Carle said in a statement. “Without their support and the support of our fans, alumni and donors, nothing that we have accomplished would have been possible. The resources we have established have had a direct impact on the daily lives of current and future Pioneer hockey student-athletes, and we continue to raise the bar for success with these commitments.

 

“I am grateful for Chancellor Jeremy Haefner, Chairman John Miller as well as the entire Board of Trustees and Vice Chancellor of Athletics Josh Berlo for their continued support of and investment in Denver hockey to ensure we maintain our position as the best college program in the country. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our student-athletes, coaches, administration, alumni, supporters and fans over the coming seasons. Denver is home for me and my family.”

Carle was reportedly a front-runner for the Chicago Blackhawks head coaching position, and was said to have been offered a five-year deal worth multiple millions of dollars per season. Last week, it was reported that he withdrew his name from consideration.

There are several other NHL teams with head coaching openings at the moment. In the past, he’s had conversations with other NHL teams, but always chose to stay.

As a private school, Denver does not have to disclose the dollar amount of the contract, number of years or buyout terms.

Carle has led Denver to two national championships (2022, 2024) and was an assistant for the 2017 national championship team. In addition, he’s led Team USA to back-to-back gold medals at the World Junior Championship.

Carle is 179-74-17 overall with a .694 winning percentage, which is presently the highest all-time among DU hockey coaches. He joins Murray Armstrong as the only Denver coaches to reach the national semifinal four times in a six-year stretch.

With the ability to pay players directly coming soon to college sports, there’s been a question as to how able Denver would be to keep up with the Big Ten schools, for example, when it comes to competing for national championships. Denver addressed that today in announcing the extension.

“The Denver hockey program continues to be resourced at a high level with support from Athletic and University administration and in large part due to record philanthropy and increased revenues,” the school said. “Over the last several years, elevated support for the program include enhanced team travel, full Alston Award benefits for student-athletes, expansion of and investment in the coaching staff, as well as new lighting, seats, boards and glass at Magness Arena to improve the fan experience.”

Carle is also committing to a multi-year major gift pledge to support current and new initiatives within the hockey program. Carle will be the first Denver Athletics head coach to join the department’s “Gold Standard Society.” His gift will directly support the Murray Armstrong Hockey Student-Athlete Enhancement Fund and the Athletics Excellence Fund.

“Our program is tremendously grateful for the support we have received from our fans, alumni and donors. In today’s changing college athletic landscape, we are grateful for philanthropy and season-ticket holder support more than ever to help our program stay at the highest level,” Carle said. “The legacy of Denver hockey wouldn’t be where it is without the foundation laid by coach Murray Armstrong. My family and I are honored to support the Murray Armstrong Fund and become members of the Gold Standard Society with the signing of this agreement. I would invite others to honor Murray’s legacy and support current and future initiatives of Pioneer Hockey at a time when it is as crucial as ever.”