Posted: Nov 16, 2020
Up next in our "Where Are They Now" series is baseball alum Jake Petersen. One of the best two-way players in Division III history, Petersen put on a show during his time at Cal Lutheran (2013 & '14). The Kingsmen pitcher was the programs first American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) two-time First Team All-American. He made it four All-America honors in two years as D3baseball.com named him Second Team in 2014 and Honorable Mention in 2013. Coming to Cal Lutheran in 2013, he was named the SCIAC Player of the Year, and added the program's first Newcomer of the Year award in the same season. On the mound, he totaled 16 wins, 148 strikeouts and four complete games. At the plate, Petersen has two of the top-four highest batting averages for a season in CLU history. He impressed for the Purple and Gold with an average of .444 in 2013 and .434 in 2014, giving him the highest batting average for a career with .439. Now, he is currently employed by the US Army. He is a First Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps and is a Platoon Leader for 571st Military Police Company.
What year's where you at Cal Lutheran and what made you want to come here?
I was at CLU from 2012-2014. I wanted to come to Cal Lu for multiple reasons; first off, both my parents worked there (my dad was the Dean of Education and my mom was a librarian). Secondly, I was looking for a better education - more personalized, perhaps. My education thus far had been at a huge Cal State... it was a great institution, but didn't fulfill my education needs. Lastly, I had good friends on the baseball team at CLU already. Ones I had known since high school. I thought it would be fun to play with them again (I was right!).
While at Cal Lutheran, what was your experience like?
My experience at Cal Lu was awesome. Hard to describe in words, really. The people I met, and the coaches/professors/instructors that guided me have forever shaped my life. I met my wife in the first semester I attended! Classes were intimate and informative, the community within CLU was positive and supportive, and I had a wonderful time being around my family at that point in my life. Some of the best memories I have with my brother was during my time at Cal Lu.
How was your experience with the team and other athletes?
The CLU baseball team during 2012-2014 was the best team I have ever been a part of (and I've been on a lot of teams). The camaraderie alone made my experience invaluable. The experiences I had while on the baseball team have helped shape my current leadership philosophy, as well as my understanding of what it means to be a member of a team. My coaches led the way and showed me what true leadership was all about. They truly cared for their players and helped me see that baseball is more than just a game - it's a microcosm of life. The other athletes were my brothers - we went through so many emotions... early mornings and late nights. I could not have asked for better men to play alongside.
What is your current job, and how did Cal Lutheran prepare you for that?
I am currently employed by the US Army; stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), WA. I am a First Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps and am in the position of Platoon Leader for 571st Military Police Company. I went to Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA in 2018, attended Officer Candidate School (also at Benning) - graduated and commissioned as an officer, then attended Military Police Basic Officer Leadership Course (MPBOLC) at Fort Leonardwood, MO before getting stationed at JBLM. CLU prepared me for life as an Army Officer by helping me better understand the importance of hard work, resiliency, team work, and what it takes to lead and win.
How did being a student-athlete prepare you for your professional career?
Being a student-athlete has been more helpful than I could have imagined. Entering the workforce as a student-athlete has allowed me to be more well-rounded and hardworking. As an athlete, you learn what it means to put in extra effort, how to communicate with peers, how to be competitive. In my current job, those are all tremendous attributes. My Soldiers and I are trained to fight and win our nation's wars; the core values of being an athlete directly aligns with being a Soldier.
What is your favorite part about the job?
My favorite part of my job is leading my Soldiers. I am in charge of a platoon of Military Police men and women (about 40 Soldiers). They risk their lives every day to keep JBLM and our country safe - I am so proud to be a part of their team.
What is a typical day at your job?
There is no typical day for us! We have a schedule that rotates between Law Enforcement duties, Combat Training, Weapon/Training Qualifications, and regular administrative work. I am in charge of planning and managing operations and personnel for my platoon. So whatever we have coming up, I'm responsible for ensuring the right training, equipment and resources have been secured. As well as executing missions with the Soldiers. There are days when I'm a Military Police Officer on the road, days when I'm in full kit in the woods at some combat training center, or sitting behind a desk working on my PowerPoint muscles.
Did you know you always wanted to do this, or when did you know what you wanted to do?
I knew from a very young age that I wanted to join the military at some point in my life. Baseball provided a great opportunity for me and allowed me to play for a long time. The military has been a tough but incredibly rewarding experience.
What does it mean to you to be a Kingsmen?
To be a Kingsmen means doing the hard "right", not the easy "wrong". It means being dedicated, hardworking, and disciplined - but not forgetting to take care of the people around you. Being a Kingsmen is more than a mascot, it's a symbol of excellence - and a beacon of leadership devoted to justice, character and the betterment of a global society.
