Mike Jacoutout video presentation
A roster of complimentary adjectives can be used to describe Mike Jacoutot and his experience at Trenton State College, but the term that may best capture the New Jersey native is “winner”.
Jacoutot was a member of two national championship teams during his three-year tenure with the Lions. He also won an individual national title at 126 pounds and advanced to the national championship bout all three seasons at TSC.
His career with Trenton State College began like no other member of the athletic Hall of Fame. He was a member of the University of Buffalo team that defeated the Lions at the national championships in 1978. As a freshman, Jacoutot lost in the 126-pound title match to Trenton State wrestler Mike Rossetti ‘80, but the Bulls edged Trenton State for the 1978 national title.
The steely grappler transferred to the Ewing campus the following year and helped the Lions to a perfect 15-0 season while claiming the first NCAA championship in school history. That season, he wrestled at 134 pounds and placed second at the championships.
During his junior season, Jacoutot was named captain and returned to his traditional weight class of 126. TSC went 15-1 that year, but fell short of a repeat as they placed second to Brockport State. Jacoutot enjoyed another exceptional season, but once again, the individual national title eluded him as he lost in the championship title bout for the third straight year.
Disappointed with their runner-up finish in 1980, the Lions were determined to bring home another team championship. They steamrolled the competition and finished the season 17-0. Jacoutot would not be denied his senior year, as he pinned two opponents at the championships before earning a 13-0 victory in the title bout to capture the individual national title. Trenton State also won the team championship in 1981 and placed 14
th overall at the Division I national tournament held at Princeton University. Jacoutot won two matches at the Division I national championships before falling in overtime in the All-American round.
While Jacoutot was a member of the Trenton State College wrestling program, his teams went a combined 47-1 in dual meets, won two national titles, and finished runner-up nationally in 1980. He owned a win-loss record of 102-14-4 as a Lion. Jacoutot also won the hand of his wife, Kathy, whom he met at TSC and has been married to for over 30 years.
The Jacoutot name has remained a constant on campus. Two of Mike’s brothers, Tim and Kevin, wrestled at Trenton State, while his sister Eileen was captain of the gymnastics team in 1984. His son, Michael, attended TCNJ, wrestled for coach Dave Icenhower, and was awarded the “Leadership Award” by the School of Business in 2010.
Since leaving the mat as a competitive wrestler, Mike has been a steady and active supporter of TCNJ and the wrestling program. Now a resident of Atlanta, Ga, he would annually fly his son and friends up to the College to attend summer wrestling camp at TCNJ. He has also been a generous donor to the program.
Mike is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Optimum Outcomes, a published author, and renowned lecturer.
