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Jakes Story
Jake started his Tae Kwon Do training when he was eight years old. As a young martial artist, success did not come easy due to learning disabilities. Because of dyslexia, he had to contend with many challenges, including difficulties telling left from right, poor balance, and remembering forms. Although he competed at many tournaments, he did not win his first trophy until he was a high blue belt. It was heartbreaking to see his disappointment, as he questioned why he didn’t do better. But there was something in his personality that would not let him quit on himself. Through his determination and hard work he slowly gained confidence, improved his skills, and eventually started to succeed.
At eleven years old Jake earned his red belt and found himself in a new advanced division. At his first tournament that Spring, he lost to a black belt in about 15 seconds, 5 to 0. Although he was disappointed, he did not get discouraged. Instead he set his goals and planned how he would overcome at this new higher level. Over the next 18 months, Jake matched up with the same black belt three times in different tournaments around Wisconsin, and every time he got closer to winning. Finally, at a tournament in Wausau, it came down to Jake and this same opponent for first and second. Jake was so pumped up that he could hardly wait for the match to start. From the first kick, you knew Jake would win the match. He never lost to that person again. Always challenging himself, Jake sought out and wanted to spar against the best black belts, win or lose.
Jake’s skills were what you would envision of a truly great black belt. Whether competing in forms or sparring at a tournament, doing a demonstration, or teaching a class, he was the ultimate showman, and always pushed himself to be his best. That is the confidence he got from martial arts.
When the first Derrico’s Black Belt School opened, Jake was constantly by his father’s side. He was a great role model, inspiring students with the precision of his techniques. As he got older and taught his own classes, Jake’s easygoing warm personality and his unique patient way of teaching made people feel comfortable with him. Young people especially looked up to him. You could see the gleam in the kids’ eyes as they gathered around him, hoping that someday they could be just like Mr. Jake.
Jake’s quest for new and greater challenges never subsided. When he was 20 he joined the Army, saying he wanted four years of action and adventure. He enlisted in the Infantry and was off to Fort Benning, GA. Infantry school was very tough, but not tough enough for Jake. When he called home, he told his dad that he was a little disappointed. When asked why, he said he expected the training to be much more difficult and wished the drill sergeants would push him harder. That was Jake.
Jake was stationed at Fort Carson, CO as a squad automatic rifleman, assigned to Alpha Co., 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. In the short time he was there he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Good Conduct Medal, two Expert Marksmanship Medals, and the Army Service Medal. Jake was very excited when he found out he was being reassigned to the 10th Mountain Division, because it is one of the most elite divisions in the Army. He had his Spring and Summer all planned out; his duties at Fort Carson, his Summer leave at home and his transfer to Fort Drum, NY.
Tragically, we lost Jake on May 7, 2000 while he was still at Fort Carson. Hundreds of family members, friends, fellow martial artists, and Army personnel gathered at our farm for his memorial service. Jake’s first platoon sergeant, Sergeant First Class Cotton, made a special request to speak at the services. He told a story of a particularly tough training day at Fort Carson where Jake had motivated the soldiers in his unit to train harder and keep going. Sgt. Cotton said, "PFC Derrico was an inspiration to everyone around him. His enthusiasm and motivation were contagious." A few years later during his promotion celebration at Fort Belvoir in West Virginia, Major Vincent Buggs shared the same story with a group of soldiers and officers which also included a general. He marveled at how a 22-year-old PFC from Central Wisconsin could have such a profound positive impact on everyone from privates to battalion commanders. He said Jake's story had given him the inspiration to better lead his men.
Jake’s character and confidence were developed by many influences in his life, and a significant amount came from his martial arts training and experiences. He always tried his best, worked hard, learned how to adapt, kept a positive attitude, and he never gave up. If that spirit inhabited each of us and continued to spread, it would be a great force for the common good.
Mr. and Mrs. Derrico
At eleven years old Jake earned his red belt and found himself in a new advanced division. At his first tournament that Spring, he lost to a black belt in about 15 seconds, 5 to 0. Although he was disappointed, he did not get discouraged. Instead he set his goals and planned how he would overcome at this new higher level. Over the next 18 months, Jake matched up with the same black belt three times in different tournaments around Wisconsin, and every time he got closer to winning. Finally, at a tournament in Wausau, it came down to Jake and this same opponent for first and second. Jake was so pumped up that he could hardly wait for the match to start. From the first kick, you knew Jake would win the match. He never lost to that person again. Always challenging himself, Jake sought out and wanted to spar against the best black belts, win or lose.
Jake’s skills were what you would envision of a truly great black belt. Whether competing in forms or sparring at a tournament, doing a demonstration, or teaching a class, he was the ultimate showman, and always pushed himself to be his best. That is the confidence he got from martial arts.
When the first Derrico’s Black Belt School opened, Jake was constantly by his father’s side. He was a great role model, inspiring students with the precision of his techniques. As he got older and taught his own classes, Jake’s easygoing warm personality and his unique patient way of teaching made people feel comfortable with him. Young people especially looked up to him. You could see the gleam in the kids’ eyes as they gathered around him, hoping that someday they could be just like Mr. Jake.
Jake’s quest for new and greater challenges never subsided. When he was 20 he joined the Army, saying he wanted four years of action and adventure. He enlisted in the Infantry and was off to Fort Benning, GA. Infantry school was very tough, but not tough enough for Jake. When he called home, he told his dad that he was a little disappointed. When asked why, he said he expected the training to be much more difficult and wished the drill sergeants would push him harder. That was Jake.
Jake was stationed at Fort Carson, CO as a squad automatic rifleman, assigned to Alpha Co., 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. In the short time he was there he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Good Conduct Medal, two Expert Marksmanship Medals, and the Army Service Medal. Jake was very excited when he found out he was being reassigned to the 10th Mountain Division, because it is one of the most elite divisions in the Army. He had his Spring and Summer all planned out; his duties at Fort Carson, his Summer leave at home and his transfer to Fort Drum, NY.
Tragically, we lost Jake on May 7, 2000 while he was still at Fort Carson. Hundreds of family members, friends, fellow martial artists, and Army personnel gathered at our farm for his memorial service. Jake’s first platoon sergeant, Sergeant First Class Cotton, made a special request to speak at the services. He told a story of a particularly tough training day at Fort Carson where Jake had motivated the soldiers in his unit to train harder and keep going. Sgt. Cotton said, "PFC Derrico was an inspiration to everyone around him. His enthusiasm and motivation were contagious." A few years later during his promotion celebration at Fort Belvoir in West Virginia, Major Vincent Buggs shared the same story with a group of soldiers and officers which also included a general. He marveled at how a 22-year-old PFC from Central Wisconsin could have such a profound positive impact on everyone from privates to battalion commanders. He said Jake's story had given him the inspiration to better lead his men.
Jake’s character and confidence were developed by many influences in his life, and a significant amount came from his martial arts training and experiences. He always tried his best, worked hard, learned how to adapt, kept a positive attitude, and he never gave up. If that spirit inhabited each of us and continued to spread, it would be a great force for the common good.
Mr. and Mrs. Derrico