TTC Captain: Jacob Motitchka
Jacob Motitchka, a 16-year-old junior on the Keystone mountain biking team, combined his love of cycling and scouting to make a difference in his community. For his Eagle Scout project, Jacob chose to refurbish the pump track at Connell Park in Scranton, partnering with the Anthracite Cycling Coalition. The goal was to improve the track so more kids and families could enjoy biking.
His project focused on fixing drainage issues, removing debris, resurfacing the track with fresh dirt, and clearing brush to improve visibility. Jacob also added a fun new feature—a log balance beam—to help riders practice their skills. He brought together volunteers from his mountain bike team, scout troop, parents, and local community members to help complete the work over two days.
“I actually had a surplus of volunteers the second day, so we expanded the project and cleared even more brush.”
Managing the project taught Jacob valuable lessons about leadership and planning. He faced the challenge of coordinating a large number of volunteers—especially when more people showed up than expected. By preparing extra tasks like additional brush clearing, he kept everyone engaged and productive. He says the experience showed him how preparation and clear communication make even big goals achievable.
“I really had to learn how to organize and advise everyone. Those skills will help me in school, college, and beyond.”
For Jacob, the project was more than just a way to improve a park—it was a chance to grow as a leader. He encourages other PICL student-athletes to take on similar TTC Captain Projects, noting that they not only strengthen leadership and planning skills, but also promote outdoor activity and biking in the community.