It's been 36 years since I first coached the freshmen basketball team at Council Grove HS, KS.  It's a lot different now.  When I was a kid, I used to lie awake at night before games, worrying and mentally rehearsing.  After the game, I would be awake in the dark, trying to recall the entire contest.  I still do; however, often times, the videotape shows a different game than was going on in my mind.

 

There are a lot of coaches and old-timers who'll tell you that kids are different today.  I don't think there is much difference in the heart of a young man who really wants to play college basketball.

 

Most Kids don't look at it like the whole world will fall apart if we don't beat Bethany.  They are playing for fun, and basketball is not going to interfere with whatever things they consider important.  They are competitive, but not competitive the way you have to be to play this game.  It's not important to them to go out and work on their own to the point of exhaustion to condition themselves to ":play a game."  Self-sacrifice and dedication is tough to get across to Most Kids.

 

But most kids are not every kid.  There are and always have been many young men who can be taught self-sacrifiec, dedication, and that working hard will bring self-satisfaction, just like you Jones Boys.  Loyalty, pride and self-respect can be taught from seeking perfection, and if I coach that way, young men will learn.  Some won't learn as fast, some won't learn at all, until later.  In the movie Patton, there is a scene where General Patton slaps a soldier suffering from shell shock who no longer wants to go to battle.  Many people sympathize with the soldier, but I never knew anyone who, knowingly, wanted to be like that soldier.

 

Most kids would prefer to be heroes.  If they have a choice.  they would choose to be Spartans rather than slaves.  It's too bad that so many feel that talking is the same as working when it comes to goals in life.

 

 

Brent Breckon:  Mortgage Broker who plays golf and is dad to 2 boys, 2 girls.

 

Brian Mitchell:  CEO of a gig-time YMCA & father of 2 girls, 1 boy.  He also does international work in Costa Rica and speaks Spanish.

 

Ray Kujawa, Head BB coach at Manhattan KS HS.  I saw him coach; in the dictionary, the word "intensity" shold have a picture of RAY next to it.

 

Terrence Phox:  Asst. BB coach at Goddard HS.  Still in the insurance game full-time.

 

Todd Clark:  Asst BB coach at Texas San Antonio.  He brought in four Jayhawk Juco recruits hjis first season.  Todd was the speaker for Deena Vargocko's KWU Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

 

Coach Al Tiller is National sales manager for ProServer, a video company that can select highlights or lowlights from v-tapes.

 

Coach Mike Kopmeyer is school counselor in Topeka.  "Don't worry about the horse being blind; just load up the wagon."  Mike has jogged 1500 plus consecutive days.

 

Tim Parker.  "My kids give me genuine excitement every time I come home from work.  Their joy can't be bought, substituted or replaced."  It made my heart jump when I read Tim's letter.

 

Roy Lawrence coached St. John Military School to the best ever season in the history of St. Johns last year.  Kevin Durant's older brother was on the team.

 

Rory Mesner:  Working for CommCorp in the operations department where he basically supplies needed fiber optics.  The comopany is Colorado-based, but Rory works in his New Jeresey office.

 

Gary Upshaw wanted to wish all the Jones Boys "Merry Christmas" from Gary, Donna, Stacy, Stephanie, Mandy, Waylon and Brandy.

 

Jimmy Casas worked as a BB official for KWU jayvees at Seward County CC .  He said he is looking for Jeff Maul.  My last letter for Jeff was returned.  Last known address:  503 Enclave Ct.  McKinney, TX  75070.

 

Howard Alexander is Director of Environmental Services and says he'll be moving south of Indiana.  His hobbies include basketball, softball and WATCHING TV.  The zipper is slowing down!

 

Fred Goodnight started his own collection agency.  He plans on getting married in February.  "Records are made to be broken; just don't break mine."

 

Troy Katen is asst BB coach and head golf coach at Dakota Wesleyan University.  They are NAIA-ranked now.

 

Jeff Wells is working hard with American Family Insurance to support all the women in the house.  Still going strong in the Noonhour Basketball Association (NBA). 

Matt Broyles is project manager for SBC Comm.  "Playing in night leagues isn't the same without a coach yelliing when I miss cribbies.  JUDAS PRIEST!  It seems like yesterday I started my first game at Avila.  Some messages from Broyles:

  (Gentz)  Cut some slack in those city leagues.

  (Ellis)  Remember Burdick.

  (Lloyd)  Remember when we saw only one bed in the room on the Peru trip?

  (Goodnight)  Sledgehammer!  (private joke)

 

Brent Avery is Athletic Trainer for the Wichita Wings pro soccer team.  "Listen to Coach Jones or at least act like you're listening!"  (I loved that)  Brent also is working rodeos in the summers.

 

Jeff Russell (former cell-mate of Todd Clark and Ryan Ellis) is in sales for Wenger Manufacturing.  He moved back to the family farm where he grew up in Sabetha, KS.  (He sent me names of recruits -- Great idea, guys.)

 

Marshall Lloyd went back to school picking up the education block.  "At least I'm not running on that damned track this fall!"  Marshall went to Ainsworth's wedding and bummed a room with Coach Jones.

 

Brad Larremore is Asst. Dean at Apollo High School AZ.  He plays much golf and travels to California a lot.  He has two dogs, two cats and is planning a family.

 

I've always been proud that you have worked so hard here at KWU, nd beyond when it became your personal goals that you work toward.  I don't care who's out there.  I don't care whom you're competing with.  You Jones Boys are going to do better than them.  You're not working for second best.  You're going to be the best in your company, the best husband, the best father, and the best man for the job.

 

I love you guys - all my sons.  Thanks for your time with me.  It has been the greatest!

 

Ol' Coach Jones