The Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball program and the entire Cardinal community are saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of former SVSU standout student-athlete Chris Jacobi.
Chris, 49, passed away early in the morning on September 5, 2021. Paul Abenth, a former teammate of Chris, has set up a donation page to support the Jacobi family. You can make your donation by CLICKING HERE.
"Chris was by far the best point guard that I ever played with over the 10 plus years that we played together from middle school all the way through college," Abenth said. "His court awareness was incredible, and he was always in charge when he had the ball. Chris was a very humble player, and no matter what he accomplished individually his main concern was for the team. Players like Chris don't come around very often. I will miss him greatly."
While attending SVSU in the early 1990s, Chris became a star on the Cardinal men's basketball team, setting program records and impacting the lives of his teammates on and off the court.
Chris played basketball for the Cardinals from 1990-94, leaving the program as the team's all-time assists leader with 478 in his career. In his final season in 1993-94, he averaged 9.4 points and 3.7 assists in 25 games, starting all contests he appeared in.
"Chris was like a brother from another mother from day one," Kevin Hankerson, former SVSU teammate of Chris, said. "On the tough days he used sense of humor and wit to keep us laughing. On a daily basis, he used his quiet competitiveness to push us to be better players he'll be greatly missed."
Chris ended his four seasons at SVSU with 88 made 3-point field goals, the second-most for any Cardinal at the time. He was also a standout on defense, ranking fifth on the SVSU all-time steals list with 154 at the end of his career.
"We are all saddened by the tragic loss of our dear friend and teammate," Steve Klein, a former teammate of Chris at SVSU. "Chris was a great basketball player and teammate but most importantly he was a good friend. My thoughts and prayers to his family-thank you for sharing him with us. We are all better off having known him. He was always proud and honored to play at SVSU, we were certainly honored to have him there. You will be missed, my friend."
He leaves behind his wife, Morgan, and their four children, Titus, Lucy, Livie, and Jack.
"I'm in shock and heartbroken for Chris and his beautiful family," Bill Vitti, a former teammate of Chris, said. "He was a close friend and selfless teammate. While he was a tremendous basketball playmaker and held several records at SVSU, I will always remember him more for his contagious smile, incredible sense of humor, and kind and humble nature. The SVSU and surrounding communities are generous and I'm hopeful they will rally for Chris's wife and four young children through the gofundme page!"
"It was heartbreaking to hear the news on Chris's passing," Current SVSU Men's Basketball Head Coach Randy Baruth said. "Chris was obviously a talented player on the court, but he was best known for being a great teammate and person. Our entire program and alumni brotherhood is hurting, and we will do anything we can to support Morgan and their four children."
