Director of Residential Life
Jake Schaper grew up in Chicago, where he played AAA hockey for the Chicago Blues in Bensenville, IL, and attended Walter Payton College Prep in the city. Balancing a challenging academic course load with the travel demands of elite hockey became one of the most formative experiences of his life, giving him deep insight into the unique pressures student-athletes face.
He earned a degree in Vocal Performance from North Park University in Chicago before moving to Lake Tahoe to pursue a career in ski resort management in Olympic Valley. While working in the ski industry and immersing himself in mountain town life, he recognized a significant need in the region for substance and alcohol use support. This realization inspired him to shift toward more purposeful work. He returned to school, obtained a degree in Addiction Studies, and began counseling at a residential treatment center in South Lake Tahoe, where he found profound satisfaction helping adults navigate challenging times.
That experience reconnected him with his first true passion: hockey. Now, he merges these diverse backgrounds—athletics, performance, mountain living, and mental health support—to work with an even more rewarding population: adolescents. He oversees a program that nurtures student-athletes in every area of their lives, providing a supportive, reassuring, and enriching environment while building a culture that promotes integrity, determination, and development.
Most importantly, Jake ensures the safety and comfort of students’ residential life at the Academy. As a father himself, he understands the difficulties of being away from a loved one and encourages families to reach out to him or his staff at any time.
Jake looks forward to working with everyone as part of the Tahoe Prep Academy community throughout the ’25/’26 Academic and Hockey season.
