IU alumnus, Web site creator dies

IU alumnus Adam Jacobs died May 22. Jacobs, 24, was a Jersey City, N.J., resident at the time of his death.

The former Zeta Beta Tau IU chapter president created thefinalsprint.com, a Web site designed to provide coverage and build ties among members in the running community.

Jacobs developed the site as a first-year Rutgers School of Law student and worked to recruit sponsors and writers for the online publication.

Jacobs quickly gained sponsors to help launch the site and elite runners, such as Sara Hall, to write blogs.

Jacobs’ drive to promote athleticism and strengthen relationships in the running community through his Web site was a trait friends and colleagues said they respected.

Zachary Benson, fraternity brother and a friend of Jacobs, said the motivation needed to develop a successful Web site like thefinalsprint.com was representative of Jacob’s character.

“I checked his Web site often, and his work helped many people around the world,” Benson said. “His passion when he put his mind to something was unparalleled. I learned that about him when I joined ZBT.”

The Challenged Athletes Foundation has created a Web site to raise money for handicapped athletes in Jacobs’ name.

Jacobs’ involvement was a strong presence among athletes and writers. Bloggers and athletes have remembered Jacobs through posting stories in forums and on their own Web sites.

James Dunaway, a writer and editor for Runblogrun, posted his condolences and memories of Jacobs.

“From the moment I met him, I knew he was a special human being, talented, smart-as-a-whip, with a mind that quickly grasped new ideas,” Dunaway said.