Jacob “Jake” Cole
- Post by: mcalibrary
- January 11, 2024
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INDUCTEE
Although the Ed Romance Chapter has been honoring local athletes since 1979, only a handful can be counted as a two-time All American. Jake Cole is one of those special people, having been named a Don Hansen Football Gazette All American in 1993 and 1994 while playing for the Colonels of Wilkes University. Cole was a four year letter winner as a defensive end for Coach Joe DeMelfi and helped the Colonels to a perfect 10-0 regular season record in 1993 and the Middle Atlantic Conference Championship, as well as a spot in the Division III National Playoffs. It was the first perfect season for Wilkes since 1968 and only the 5th team in school history to accomplish the fete. He would register 10 tackles and 2 sacks in the playoff game and would be named 1st Team all MAC, All East Coast and Second Team All American Defensive End. The team would rank 1st in Division III takeaways and 2nd in scoring defense.
As a senior captain, Jake would lead the Colonels to a 9-2 record and an Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Southeast Championship. He would be named First Team ECAC, and MAC Defensive End and would again be named to the Hansen Third Team All American Team, in addition to the Sports Information Directors Third Team All American Team. He would finish his Wilkes career with 190 career tackles, 30 QB sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 9 fumble recoveries; and, would be named the 1995 Wilkes University Male Athlete of the Year. Cole was recently inducted into the Wilkes University Hall of Fame in 1995.
Jake began his career for Coach Joe Jazz Diminick at Mount Carmel as a fullback/linebacker. He would run for over 700 yards while paving the way for fellow “hall of famer” Tony Mazzatesta and contributes 69 tackles during the Tornadoes 8-3-1 season in 1988. The three losses would be to Berwick – AAA State Champion, Pottsville – Southern Division Champion, and Bethlehem Catholic – AA State Champion. The loss to Beca came in the District II AA Championship game. Jake ran back an interception vs Pottsville for 101 yards and is the longest in MCA history. His 96 yard TD run vs Marion Catholic ranks as the 4th longest in MCA history.
Jake is currently the Director of Construction for ESA Environmental Specialists, Inc. and makes his home in Nazareth with his wife Sheila and son Jacob and another on the way.