DENVER – Edward Jacobs Jr. is a fixture at MSU Denver athletics events, supplying hundreds of photographs of Roadrunners on the field of competition to the athletics department.
 
But that wasn't enough for him.
 
So Jacobs, like an increasing number of Metropolitan State University of Denver boosters, has pledged support in a more direct way by contributing to the Cohen Scholars Program.
 
"I'm an alum, from 1996," Jacobs said. "I like sports, and photography fits into that. This is a way for me to help people change their lives and get an education. It's super cool when you see them come back to games (after graduating) and see what they're up to. It's just a really great feeling."
 
MSU Denver's 16-sport program remains competitive at the NCAA Division II level despite operating with $1.9 million in scholarships spread among more than 200 student-athletes. The Division II limit, if all the Roadrunners' programs were fully funded, would be $3.1 million.
 
Jacobs' contribution of $10,000 over five years is one of several levels of support that are available for MSU Denver boosters to contribute.

The program was established by the Rob and Molly Cohen Family Foundation to support student-athletes, and by extension all MSU Denver students, by easing the financial burden of Roadrunners who spend several hours a week training, practicing and competing in addition to their studies.

For more Cohen Scholars Program information, contact: Associate Athletic Director John Kietzmann at jkietzma@msudenver.com or 303-615-0538, or Director of Development Nick Kinney at nkinney3@msudenver.com or 303-605-5956.
 
The beneficiary of Jacobs' donation for the 2019-20 academic year is women's soccer player Gabriella Gamboa. An All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference forward, Gamboa led the team with six goals and 15 points last season.
 
"The idea of it, really, of funding a particular individual, interested me more than maybe not knowing as much where the funds are going through the general fund," said Jacobs, who is Manager, Instructional Technology Administration at MSU Denver. Jacobs was also the 2014 winner of MSU Denver Athletics' Joseph F. Arcese Award for his contributions.
 
Part of Cohen Scholars Program donations go to an annual scholarship award, part goes to an athletic scholarship endowment which produces scholarships for student-athletes in perpetuity, and part goes to wraparound services for the enhancement of the student-athlete experience.
 
Just beginning its third year, the Cohen Scholars Program is still in its infancy, but there are now seven boosters supporting the project.
 
Gamboa had walked on to the MSU Denver program after transferring prior to the 2018 season. She said the additional financial support has had a major impact on her life.
 
"It was really awesome, especially since I didn't have any scholarships (for 2018)," Gamboa said. "I was getting a little bit more last year, and then when we found out about this, my parents were super happy about it. I didn't know Ed was a part of it at first, but then I met him at the team dinner at the end of the year when I found out about it. He was super nice."
 
While the Cohen Scholars Program helped Gamboa offset some financial burden, she also continues to work part-time for at Starbucks while majoring business.
 
"Any help like this is amazing," Gamboa said. "I really appreciate it, and I'm and so grateful. Anything to help my parents."