Dearborn's Yacoobi Pursuing Football at Penn

Feerooz Yacoobi spent his senior year the way most students should: knowing that it was his last, and making the most of it.

Yacoobi graduated with ’s class of 2011 as an All-State Dream Team football player, a two-time state champion in the shot put in track and field and a finalist for the Michigan High School Athlete of the year award.

“I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today without the encouragement and hard work of everyone around me.” Yacoobi said. “That includes my family, teachers, coaches and, most importantly, my teammates.”

Yacoobi emphasizes his family’s encouragement throughout his high school years. He said that his parents always provided a healthy support system and expected nothing less than his best. He also mentioned that his parents allowed him to make all of his decisions on his own.

Since the eighth grade, Yacoobi has been involved in school athletics. He said that his middle school’s track coach had convinced him to give shot put, well … a shot.

And on June 4 of this year, in the sport at Rockford after a 59-foot, 4-inch toss.

But Yacoobi explains that having won competition the year before put a bit of pressure on him to repeat.

“I felt like I had to come out and prove that I am still am the best,” Yacoobi said. “It was an exciting experience. Winning it for the second time felt great. Especially after winning it last year and being the defending champ.”

Despite his familiarity with the event, Yacoobi admits he still had the jitters.

But even though Yacoobi ended his high school career as a track star, he decided to pursue football–his other high school interest–in college at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dave Mifsud, Dearborn High’s football coach, describes Yacoobi as someone who shows excellent citizenship.

“Feerooz is a great kid,” Mifsud said. “A hard worker, humble and leader by example.”

Yacoobi not only put up high numbers on the scoreboards, he also maintained high grades. According to Mifsud, the star athlete was a straight-A student who found no troubles juggling school and sports.

“Setting priorities and knowing what you want to accomplish helps when balancing both.” Yacoobi said. “For me, school was first because education is and always will be my first priority. So I made sure I got the job done there.

“Since I love sports and being an athlete," he added, "working hard at that wasn’t that difficult because I knew I wanted to be the best at what I did, and I had fun with it."

Yacoobi plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall and major in business.