Jake Chapman

Showcase U, Co-Founder

Jake Chapman retired from professional baseball in 2004 after 8 successful seasons, performing as high as the AAA level. Drafted in the 26th round in June of 1996 by the Kansas City, Royals, Jake played 4 seasons at the A and AA levels. Between 2001 and 2004, Jake played with several organizations including the Montreal Expos, Atlantic City Surf (independent), Boston Red Sox and the Mexico City Diablos Rojos -- reaching as high as the AAA level.

At Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, Jake was a member of the first team in school history to play in the final game of the D-II College World Series. A former walk-on, he earned 2nd Team All-America and 1st team GTE Academic All-America honors in 1996 and was awarded the coveted Richard F. Scharf Paragon Award -- awarded annually to one male and one female student-athlete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, based upon academic excellence, athletic ability and achievement, character and leadership. In 1996 Jake graduated Summa Cum Laude and was inducted into his alma mater’s hall of fame in 2003.

Jake attended Rensselaer Central High School in Indiana, lettering in basketball and baseball.

“As I reflect upon my academic and athletic career, the only part of my life as a student-athlete that I would consider lacking -- even disappointing -- was the college recruiting process. In 1992, my parents paid a well-known college recruiting service $800 to assist us in getting more exposure. I was sold on the pitch that I’d be recognized as one of the top college prospects of America and I sat back and simply waited to get recruited. It didn’t happen.

This is where my passion for Showcase U stems. I want to provide families with the same knowledge and tools as the “experts” and make do-it-yourself recruiting a comfortable, simple, yet powerful choice.”

Jake, his wife Chastidy reside in Indiana with their sons Camden and Colby Shea.