Jones Boys in College Coaching (*formerly coach):

  Jeff Baron, Asst. Coach, KWU

  John Bishop, (former asst)  Head Coach, University St. Mary, NAIA II

  Phil Beckner, Dir. BB Operations, Weber State U. NCAA D-I

  *Michael Bell, Student Asst Coach, Emporia State U. NCAA D-II

  Todd Clark, Head Coach, Cowley County CC, Juco

  Jeremy Coombs, Head Coach, Neosho County CC, Juco 

  Mike Davert (former asst) Head Coach, KWU

  *Lance Dible, Assistant Coach, Fort Hays State U. NCAA D-II

  *Jon Edison, Asst Coach, Butler County CC, Juco

  Chris Gold, Graduate Asst., Kansas Wesleyan University

  *Anthony Hastings, Asst. Coach, Brown-Mackie JC, Juco

  Troy Katen, Head Coach, Peru State U. (NAIA)

  Jason Kline (former asst) Head Coach, Park University, NAIA

  Brandon Lesovsky, Asst, Kansas Wesleyan University

  *Lucas McDonald, Asst. Coach, Birmingham Southern U. NCAA D-I

  Dane Pavlovich, Head Coach, Stephens College, NAIA

  Ryan Showman, Asst Coach, KWU NAIA

 

Incomplete List of High School Coaches (*formerly coached)

  Brad Bingesser, Olathe South HS, KS

  Scott Brown, Fowler HS, KS

  Brandon Cheeks, Lakewood, Salina

  *Ty Christensen, California

  Matt Crist, Leoti,KS

  Tony Depa, St. Monica Catholic HS, Santa Monica, California

  Michael DeWitz, Nederland, TX

  David Frederick, Milwaukee St. Pius

  Sam Gallegos, San Antonio, TX

  Bryan Gardere, Oakland, CA

  Tony Ingram, Chapman, KS

  Doug Key, Chicago Lane Tech?

  *Ray Kujawa, Manhattan

  *Brad Larremore, Phoenix South Mountain

  Roy Lawrence, St. John's Military Academy, Salina

  Matt Meyer, Tucson, AZ

  Terrance Phox, Wichita Collegiate

  Preston Seymour,

  Drew Sprague, SE Saline

  Blake Turner, Springfield, IL

  Jim Vanek, Wichita Kapaun

  Joey Vasquez, San Antonio, TX

  Travis Witman, Goodland

  *Stan Wyatt, Norton

 

 

  Devan Weiser found it "weird helping ex-Head Coach Cam Cameron of the Dolphins clean out his office.  What do you say to someone who just got fired??  It was a hectic few weeks.

  Michael Jordan was actually here at our training facility a few months ago.  I saw him and Charles Oakley come in and MJ was drinking beer and smoking a cigar.  Him and Jason Taylor are good friends so he came to talk to the team and they they left to play golf.  I also got to meet Marino and Don Shula this year.  We're in the processof getting ready for the draft.  Brianna and I haven't set a date yet for our wedding, probably sometime next fall,"  WeiserD@dolphins.nfl.com

 

Ricky Gray is working in the Denver area as a financial consultant.  This year was their 10th wedding anniversary.  He is coaching an AAU boys team that plays in a lot of area and midwest MAYBE tournaments traveling all over the midwest.  Ricky

coaches using Dick Bennett's (and Al Tiller's "On the line-Up the line Defense"

(Puzzling as most of you remember, defense was not really number one on the Gray list of game day priorities).  He doesn't see many of the Denver guys except for Kenny Hyshaw.

 

Jimmy Casas worked as an official in the NJCAA Division II National Basketball Championships.  He ate lunch with Mike Davert, Brandon Lesovsky, and Shawn Ellis, all former asst coaches for the Jones Boys.  Davert is head coach at KWU now, Brandon is at Neosho CCC, and Shawn is number one assistant at U. of Northern CO.  Jimmy works a lot of RMAC and Pac12 games nowadays.  He is a BIG-TIME Official. 

 

Ryan Hicks:  Asst Producing Editor for movie "Action Junkies."  Edited reality show "Going Pro."  Worked for owner of show, "Imaginaire", shooting documentary on World Series of Poker, and was able to fly to Atlantic City, NJ, to finish the documentary.  Having a lot of fun.

 

Troy Katen has just been named (April-2008)) the Head Coach at Peru State University, Nebraska,   Troy was the last three sport letterman at KWU (football, basketball & baseball).  He moves up after assisting at Central Methodist in Missouri. 

 

Anthony "C" Hastings is looking to start up a foster group home here in Salina.

For the last few years  "C"  has been working with Brown-Mackie College as an assistant basketball coach.  His brother was the Head Coach of the BMC women's team in 2006 and 2007.

 

David Frederick will be in Salina this summer for July Boys HOA camp, run by Ken Cochran and Bob Murray (former KWU coaches & both are in KWU Hall of Fame)  His son Tommy will be coming.for the camp too.

 

Nate Lesovsky is working as assist. manager at a sports grill in Scottsdale, AZ, and loving the life.  Someone needs to recount those 3's on the top ten list.  Nate should be there.  (Now corrected)

 

Scott Brown just got back from the Nebraska Spring Football game where tickets were selling for up to $100 each with 85,000 attending.  School is creeping along in the spring.  Track is going good with some damn good athletes.  Seems like kids get lazier by the year.  Makes me look back on my laying days and wish I had worked harder, not only in sports, but with grades as well.  I could have done much better in both.  Scott is at Fowler KS high school.

 

Scott Ellis is wrapping up recruiting at UNC and getting ready for summer camps.

 

Tony Depa just finished his fourth season as head basketball coach at Saint Monica Catholic HS in Santa Monica, CA with a great 18-9 record.  The guys in CA play year around and he is coaching the summer season too.  Although Tony lives in a small apartment on the beach which is very enjoyable, he's maybe looking long-term for a position closer to home.  Coach Shawn Ellis usually stops by when on the road recruiting.  Nate Lesovsky, Matt Broyles and Tony plan to get together in Phoenix in late April.  Hopefully Shawn Ellis can join them.  Look forward to seeing a bunch of guys next fall for the opening of the new gym.

 

Matt Crist quotes:

  "Currently working for the Orlando Magic, managing the entitlements of the courtside VIP ticket holders like Tiger Woods.  Got to know many of the NBA players and get to play with some of the ex-players living in FL now.  I play for a semi-pro team called KMI, and am the only guy not from a D-I school.  No pay for me but the sponsors pay for all of our needs and there are some nice perks.

  I am looking into taking a job as a head coach/administrator back in KS.  My wife, Callie, is from western KS too, so we would like to be back closer to family.  The nature of the sports industry is long hours and low pay (Devin Weiser is finding it out just like me.)  It wasn't as glamorous as it sounded at first.

  I have talked to Jeremy Grady and Brett Murray and we sure want to get as many guys back for the alumni game next as we can."

 

Jim Vanek is asst. BB coach at Wichita Kapaun HS, one of the state's top programs.  He is working through at state program that is allowing him to teach as he picks up teaching hours. 

 

Brett Murray messages:

     Moved out of the Radio business into Oil and Gas.  Married Josie, a KSU

grad from Philadelphia, and we are due anytime now welcoming our third little boy.  Stephen is three and Matthew 20 months while little Daniel is yet to be born.  Matthew's name came from all my buddies at KW; Crist, Meyers, Holopirek and Broyles.

     Such a small world it is.  I am the Head of Land for Sundance Energy of Denver.  One of our directors is Paul Franks who heard I attended KWU.

  "You played for Coach Jones?"  Franks had been on a hunting trip to Red Lodge, Montana, with Jim Vanek Sr.  who told him about Jones & Vanek golfing at Red Lodge a couple of times.

 

Blake Turner will be coming to Salina this summer coaching an AAU basketball team playing in a tournament.  He expects great hospitality for the return of the "Best Shooter Ever for the Jones Boys."  (Blake's ranking, not mine.)  He is really gearing up for his second season as a high school coach at Springfield.  Ty Christensen is coming to Springfield for a weeklong visit, Apr 30-May6.  They plan on returning for Alumni game.

 

Brandon Cheeks announces,

  Look Out World.  Welcome my son, Jalen Jamel Cheeks, born to Brandon and his lovely wife, Ralita, on March 25, 2008 at the Salina Regional Hospital.  Jalen weighed 6 pounds and 18.5 ounces and already one and one-half.5 inches long.   (Congratulations twice this Spring to Brandon.  He was chosen to be the featured speaker at the funeral of Dr. Mace Braxton, one of Salina's most prominent citizens.  Brandon has really made an impression on Salina in such a short time.  He has also been selected Teacher of the Month at Lakewood Middle School where he teaches geography, as well as his frequent appearances in the church pulpits. 

 

Ricky Cole is settled into Salina.  Married now and working for Advance Auto Parts.  Works out at the YMCA regularly.  Still has that dazzling smile. 

 

Congratulations to Tony Ingram upon accepting the Head Basketball Coaching Position at Chapman High School after ten years of teaching and being an assistant coach at Junction City High School.  Tony certainly received enough coaching input at KWU during his recruitment and years at KWU being exposed to Walgren, Bartow, Hughes and Jones.  Tony is one of the fine players who first came to Salina through The Great Salina Shoot-Out.  I'm sure Junction City will miss both Tony's coaching and teaching; and even perhaps his wife, a high school counselor.  Chapman isn't too long a trip, but those head coaching responsibilities take a lot of time.  Tony can still be reached at his posted email address. 

 

Junior Dane Baxa had a heckofa year.  He earned his third letter since being named the MVP of the Heart of America All-Star Game gathering 28 points and 16 rebounds and rushed to a letter of intent by Coaches Jones, Brandon Cheeks, and Brandon Lesovsky.  He completed over 25 hours for the sixth straight semester and was elected KWU student body president for his senior year and was named NAIA Academic All-American.  Dane also is the lead drummer for just about every musical production on the campus and plays in his own band.  How does he have time to date one of the loveliest young women on campus?  Somehow Dane just gets it all done, and done well.

 

Travis and Tyson Spears are both in management programs with the Wal-Mart Corporation.  Their parents are very grateful to Ken Noonan (Adopt-A-Jock foster parent and Salina Wal-Mart Manager) who got them started as interns while attending KWU. 

 

Jon Bishop has been named Head Coach at the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, KS, a member of the Kansas Conference.  Jon will get that program turned around in a hurry.  USM has finished last in the KCAC for four consecutive seasons.  Since leaving KWU Jon has been at Missouri Western, Central Methodist and Pratt CC. 

 

Chris Gold is going to be assisting Coach Davert next year as a graduate assistant.

 

Jeff Baron has been hired as a part-time Salina elementary science instructor while he completes an MBA program at KWU.  This allows Jeff to continue as assistant to Coach Davert.   

 

Jon Edison died April 29 at his home in El Dorado.  He was one of the great scorers in KWU basketball history and was selected to the Decade of the 1990's All-Star Team.  Jon played for Coaches Walgren and Bartow completing his eligibility just before Coach Jones returned to KWU.  He was familiar to many of the Jones Boys as he completed his degree in Salina.  He also worked as an assistant at KWU during preseason before assuming the assistant coaching job at Brown-Mackie College.  This past year Jon was the assistant coach of the women's basketball team at Butler County Community College.  He always stayed in touch with many of his teammates and friends at Kansas Wesleyan such as Jon Bishop and Mike Helmer.  Jon remained in touch with Coach Jones calling many times during the basketball season.  He was a continual presence at the Heart of America basketball camps doing what he loved best, coaching basketball.  His son, Barkley, competes for Coach Brandon Cheeks at Lakewood Middle School here in Salina.  Condolences for the family may be sent to www.carlsoncolonial.com.

 

Double congraulations to Mike Helmer who completed his education degree at KWU and has been named the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Butler County Community College following three very successful seasons as Head Coach at Wichita South High School guiding South to the state tournament two of the last three years.  Mike played his high school basketball for Marion Ogden, a member of the KWU Hall of Fame. 

 

Bryan Wilson is running a Real Estate Investment Business (IT Professional nowadays).  Bryan and his wife, La'Neka, have a four-year-old son, Josiah Elisha Wilson and live in Edmund, OK.  He really misses KWU and says it was a priceless experience.  Still maintains contact with Tommy Webb (when Tommy calls back-same for most of Tommy's calls) and Anthony "C" Hastings. 

 

Graduating Cum Laude (with Distinction) this spring from KWU (GPA's of 3.50 to 3.74 were basketball players:

  Dane Baxa & Jeff Baron

 

Dane Baxa was also the recipient of the KWU Hall of Fame Award presented to a graduating senior who has made a positive impact on the campus community.  Incidently Dane has graduated in only three years taking over twenty hours every semester and graduating with degrees in  Biology, Philosophy and Science.  This year Dane completed 26 hours each semester.  He plans on entering the KWU graduate school in June and will be able to play ball next season. 

 

Marcus Faubion is handicapped for a while wearing a cast for a broken foot injured just as summer began.  He was playing in open gym with Anthony Smith in Glendale.

 

Ryan Hicks:

  "Last summer during the Ballin' for Peace Tour, we had well established artists across the united States submit songs for our events.  By July, G-Unit had completed the Ballin' 4-Peace mixtape which had chart topping songs by 50 Cent and Spider Loc (Videos are on the links below).  This summer we will not miss a beat.  Take a second to check out the latest Ballin' for Peace track from Def Jam Recording artist, Dro.  We are trying to shape our youth's minds as well as give them alternatives to gang violence.  The summer league will be every Saturday from July-26-Labor Day weekend.  Games will be dedicated to the innocent victims of gang violence from the different communities.  There will be information for employment, health services, educational grants, and scholarships on site.

  We are looking for sponsors and donations to help continue our mission.

Spread the word!  Join the movement!  Feel free to leave feedback.

Main Pages:

  http://www.myspace.com/hicksflicks

  (hicksflicks.com) Ryan Hicks Productions

 

Scott Schmidt is running his fitness center in Irvine, CA.  He wanted to know if he qualified for any top tens, but he was kidding.  Thinking back, did anyone ever hit game winners out of range like Scott?  How about his bruising up McPherson All-American Alexander?  Mac never beat us while Alexander was playing and leading the league in scoring, rebounding, and assists.

 

Matt Crist got married in Jamaica March 29, and is moving back to Kansas to be the Head Basketball Coach at Leoti High School.  Great to have a leader like Matt back in teaching again.  I'd like to see a couple of those kids eyeballs when they find out "The Competitor" means business.  Maybe marriage has mellowed Matt....Nahhh!

 

Jay Morton is the father of two children:  Taylor is two and Emily is 5 1/2 months in May.  Jay's email is listed.

 

Brett Murray has done a great job wih a video of his newest (3rd) son, Daniel James Murray joining Josie and Brett.  Contact Brett or Dick/Leah Blanchard to see the video.  Brett always was a technical genius.

 

Scott Brown was named the Head Basketball Coach at Fowler High School, Fowler, KS.  He's busy right now lining up camps, work-outs, and meetings with his new team.  Scott was the assistant at Fowler a year ago, and as I've said before,

     "Cream always rises to the top."

 

Fred Goodnight continues semi-retirement playing golf at the finest courses in Indiana and Illinois.  Modest Fred still answers the telephone,

  "Future Hall-of-Famer"  Fred Goodnight speaking.  He has requested mention that he be listed as leading the team in scoring AND ASSISTS his senior season. 

I know this is a dig at Shawn Ellis who was actually passing the ball whereas some of Fred's airballs may have turned out to be assists.  Fred is a total family man now, although he takes pride in being a unanimous choice to Ol' Coach Jones's All-Time All-Party Team.  

 

Dr. Kathleen Barrett-Jones and Ol'Coach Jones stopped in Memphis to see Graceland and were able to have dinner with Marshall Lloyd and his most serious girl friend who is a most intelligent and stunning looking young women.  Both are teaching and doing well.  Marshall even appeared thinner than when at KWU.  He took us to a marvelous BBQ restaurant downtown just off Beale Street and there was a movie being made we watched for awhile.  Marshall is coaching middle school basketball and his team had a really good year.  He is confident that his school will be one of the better teams in Memphis for years to come.  Coach Marshall Lloyd emphasizes pressing defense and conditioning.  They score a lot of points too. 

 

Blake Turner, after a year as a basketball assistant, may be the new head coach at Springfield HS (IL).  The head coach resigned and moved on leaving Blake (hopefully) as the heir apparent.

 

Phil Beckner is staying another year at Weber State.  He'd like to see more news of you guys on the website; so send Ol' Coach Jones an email updating your current status.

 

Friday, May 2nd, will be my last day at Disney Sports.  I have taken a new position at Wichita County High School.  If you need immediate assistance, please call the Disney Soccer Line at 407-938-3805.  If you sish to contact me for personal reasons, please see the ontact information below.

Thank you and have a great day

Matthew Crist

(c) 321-947-4169

(e-mail) mattcrist35@hotmail.com