POTSDAM – Efforts to raise money to purchase a new scoreboard at Pine Street Arena, dedicated to 1973 Potsdam High School graduate Brian “Jake” Jacot, has hit the halfway point thanks to donors.

A group of Potsdam High School alumni, many of whom played football, hockey or baseball with “Jake”, are raising $13,000 to replace the current scoreboard for the coming hockey season.

A “quiet phase” that began in February has gathered just over $7,000, and now the project is entering a public phase, with a target date of July 1 so the scoreboard can be ordered in time for the upcoming boys’ and girls’ hockey seasons, according to Scott Conroe, who is part of the fundraising effort.

The effort is chaired by 1973 graduates Conroe, Steve Barney, and Chip Giordano.

Jacot served as co-captain of football, baseball and hockey as a senior, when the arena opened in 1972-73. He was All-Northern in football and baseball. He also was a high honor student and member of National Honor Society.

Jacot earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from Clarkson University, where he played JV hockey and varsity baseball.

He founded Greystone Engineering in Saratoga Springs, where he and his wife Paula raised their children Michaele-Lynne and Gregory, and where “Jake” coached youth sports.

He died of pancreatic cancer in April 2022.

“Jake was such a class act, in the way he handled his accomplishments,” Conroe said. “He was a great example for younger people. This seemed like the perfect way to honor him.”

The current scoreboard, installed in the 1980s, has many burned-out bulbs, and that model is no longer manufactured, so it cannot be fixed.

The new scoreboard will show timeclock, penalties, goals, and shots on goal.

The group has been working with Trey Smutz, Potsdam village recreation director on the project.

“The group understands that many people played significant roles in Potsdam hockey over the years,” Conroe said. “There may be opportunities to honor them by name, in the near future.”

To donate, mail a check made out to Charles Giordano, to 722 Noyes Road, Potsdam, NY 13676;  or visit NBT Bank at 6554 NY 56, Potsdam, and make out the check to Jake’s Scoreboard.