This weekend, the JETS Swim Team will host its annual Summer Classic Swim Meet at Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana. In honor of the 50th Anniversary of this beloved event—formerly known as the Dr. Pepper Super Swim Meet—we’ll be sharing stories and memories from JETS swimmers, volunteers, coaches, and families.

Today, we’re proud to spotlight Jeff Rubocki—a former JETS parent and a standout alum. Jeff recalls some of his earliest childhood memories being connected to his time with the program.

“I started swimming with the JETS when I was five years old at the downtown Joliet YMCA and I continued all the way through college. It was a great experience for me and I made a lot of friends. My family made friends as well,” he said. 

Jeff said swimming with the JETS gave him a positive outlet for competition, with the Summer Classic at the forefront of many of his best moments in the pool. 

“When I was very young, the meet was at Inwood and outside. It was the biggest meet for the JETS to put on, and I remember the huge number of swimmers that would come in from around the area to compete,” he said. “If you won your heat, you’d win a six pack of Dr. Pepper and the trophies would have little cans of Dr. Pepper with a swimmer on top. For a young kid, it was a great incentive to go out and compete.”

Jeff said his parents also served as volunteers for the meet, and that he gained further appreciation for all the work that goes into making the event possible when he started volunteering while his own children competed with the JETS. 

“I remember my mom putting together the physical heat and lane cards on paper. It was a ton of work. Even as the meet has progressed with modern technology, there’s still a lot to be done. It’s not until you go through that experience yourself that you realize how many sacrifices are made,” Jeff said. “It’s a lot of work but it’s worth it all. You take a lot of pride in it. You want to keep it going.”

Beyond volunteering, Jeff and his wife Cheri have played a role in the lasting impact of the JETS as donors to the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, which helps to ensure nobody is turned away from Y programs due to the inability to pay. 

“As you grow older and gain perspective on things, you realize how important it is to give back if you’re able to. That’s why my wife and I support the Y,” he said. “I think the Y has a great reputation of giving kids opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have and we see what it does for kids in the community. You want them to be involved in things that help them develop critical skills like communicating with others, feeling part of a team, and that’s what Y programs like the JETS do.”

As he reflects on the future of the JETS and the Summer Classic, Jeff believes that the sense of community continues to make the difference. 

“The longevity of the event speaks for itself. It’s helped out so many kids and families in different ways that folks who remain around the area understand they can play a role in helping it continue to develop,” he said. 

The Y would like to thank Jeff for all his contributions to the YMCA and the JETS program, and wish the best of luck to all the swimmers and families getting ready for this weekend’s 50th Anniversary Meet!  

Click below to read more JETS stories from our #TimeLaps series.

Sunday, June 8 – Mark Broucek