Another season is underway.  We have some fair size and some really hard-working young men.  I love these new guys, but it seems like my mind drifts more now.  I still recall those early days, and how I miss you guys no longer here.  Every season, some guys wonder why I call them by a different name and only you all and I know how much a player reminds me of another guy called Ray or Dave or Michael.  The rookies are easy to adjust with; but a new group of seniors is hard.  It seems like they just got here and it already time to go.  Can the Fall of 1982 really twenty years ago.  I'll put off my ramblings until later in the letter as your teammates are of more interest to you all.

 

Carl Ellis was named "One of the Best Realtors in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex."  I guess so..A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PRODUCER.  Carl is blessed with a beautiful wife (of course) and daughter, Kendall 5, and son, Blake, 18 months.

 

Barry Trulson, (husband of Jan who was athletic secretary, cheerleading director, host families coordinator, and still able to steer me on the correct paths at the right times during the '80's)  passed away in his sleep this spring.  Returning for the funeral were Terrance Phox, Russ Pleiman, Travis Witman, Brad Larramore, all members of the Trulson Adoptive Family and all spoke eloquently of Barry and of Jan.

 

Brad Larramore is giving up school administration to return to coaching.  Good to hear it, as coaching needs more good men nowadays.  Travis Witman is assistant coach at Goodland, KS, and looks fit enough to step right back on the court.  His wife (Angie Holton) and Travis have beautiful children as you would expect.  Russ Pleiman and his Brother-In-Law have their own business, "Del Sol of Denver," catering to the gneral public and such groups as Aerosmith.  Their website is www.justaddsun.com.  Russ's wife, Monica, was not at the funeral; however, she is the owner of Optimum Management Systems with revenues over four million a year.  She was featured by the Chamber of Commerce magazine, Spotlight.  Their children are Brandon and Lauren.  Jeff Wells came also and he is so supportive of KWU.  In ddition to being "Mr. American Family Insurance" in Salina, Jeff is the Director of Player Personnel and a co-owner of the Kansas Cagerz professional basketball franchise located in Salina and playing in the United States Summer Basketball League (USBL).  Jeff still plays in our NBA (noon-hour basketball association), and remains the best shooter in the gym.

  Not able to attend the funeral, but people I talked with that Jan asked me to contact were:  Laurindo (L.C.) Crockett who just completed his masters degree in school administration from Illinois State.  He was not able to attend as his graduation ceremony was the same day.  It's great to hear that Laurindo is now making the bigger bucks.  I knew he could and would.  John Preston weas so saddened by the news, and so joyful to hear some news of his classmates.  I gave him several numbers and he said he'd be calling.  I've added John Preston to the Jones Boys mailing list.

  John Edison is an assistant basketball coach at Washburn.  He had a great view of us getting killed there this November.  It was a record defeat (for me, for Washburn a record win) and greatly resembled the biblical story where Jesus is arrested and his disciples are scattered while one follower runs away, but his robe is grasped and he flees naked.  John tired to offer consolation, but the best he could say was, "Whoo," which I understood perfectly.  John is doing great for them, and I am delighted to see him back in coaching instead of broadcast journalism.  He's good at both, but the pay is steadier and the rewards for performance are more in line in coaching.

  Howard Alexander remains in health care administration specializing in the care of elderly, but has left Texas and moved north again near CVhicago.  Jeff Wells told me,  "The Little Zipper"  (the original)  still calls regularly, but we have a hard time making connections.

  Roy Lawrence has joined the Kansas Cagerz as a co-owner.  Roy is Athletic Director and head BB coach at Saint John's Military Academy.  Roy holdsa military rank, captain, major, colonel or something.  Since I never rose above corporal in my four year Marine Corps career, I have great respect for Roy's military success.  He is truly, The Man" at SJMA.  They are building a new gym/athletic facility that will rival any other small school in Kansas.

  Gary Upshaw continues to lead a heroic existence.  I don't just mean as a husband and father, and member of the U.S. Border Patrol.  Following 9-11, Gary was appointed temporary Air Marshall moving about America aboard jet airliners as an undercover agent, armed and dangerous.  Not enough--Gary was activated into Bosnia with the National Guard.

  Simon Emidy is sort of back in civilian life as a peace officer in Arizona.  Simon describes his wife, Lisa, as looking a lot like Cameron Diaz and Michelle Pfeiffer, plus being the brains of the family.  Two wonderful kids are Michael and Lauren.  Barney Gray was able to attend the wedding.  It was great to hear from Simon again as my last contact was during SEAL training in the Navy.

  Brent Avery is the trainer at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC.  He asks me to tell Phox that Brent already has season tickets to games at Univ. North Carolina.

  Coach Mike Kopmeyer stayed with me this fall for four days recovering from replacement knee surgery.  Mike had another knee replacement updating his worn-out plastic parts of 14 years ago.  He's no longer counseling wayward youth at the juvenile prison, but is in semi-retirement.  Mike still does not ride a golf cart considering such a device as aiding the game.  Mike does not consider plastic and stainless steel replacement parts as aiding devices.

  Coach Jason Kline finished last year at Indiana Tech U. ranked in the NAIA top twenty with over twenty wins.  Currently he is 16th and looking for another excellent year.

  Coaching updates:  Todd Clark head women's coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State.  Lucas McDonald assistant women's coach at Dodge City CC, KS, undefeated and top ranked coming from all defeats three years ago.  Lance Dible assistant women's coach at Fort Hays State.  I went to Lance's wedding this summer -another beautiful woman-and brother Brady Dible played in HOA All-Star game and signed with us this year.  Shawn Ellis assistant coach at Cloud County CC, KS, nd had a good year last season making semi-finals of Jayhawk District and this year has already won 11 games.  Ray Kujawa is head coach at Manhattan HS, KS, one of 32 largest schools in Kansas.  Jeremy Coombs is assistant coach at Highland CC, KS, and was assistant coach for Kansas Cagerz last summer.  Dane Pavlovich is head women's coach at Stephen's College in Missouri.  He is really busy recruiting and could use players if you would let him know.  They need to be top flight academic students.  Troy Katen is assistant coach at Hastings College and the job is full-time, so Troy is no longer golf coach.  Troy married Stacy and finished his M.S. in education.  Sent me some advice for the team, "Keep a straight face if coach is chewing ass and his teeth fall out."  Terrence Phox is assistant coach at Wichita Collegiate.  Brad Bingesser is coach at Salina Central; however, he has married a doctor whose practice is in Olathe, so Brad is giving up the SCHS job at the end of the year.  We will miss him around here.  Eric Cooper is the coach at Deerfield and he had a great first season going to the finals of the regional.  Bryan Gardere is the had women's coach at Piedmont HS, Oakland, CA.  Last season they were ranked as high as 4th in the USA Today national high school poll.  We haven't heard from him this year and neither has Blake or Ty.  Don't become like Paul Walters--we need to hear from you, Bryan.  Mat Meyer is in his second year as KWU JV coach.  He is excellent help and has a future in coaching.  Matt is looking for a grad assistant job and his girl firend graduates this year too.

  The "Big O" is entering his final year as an intern at the KU Med Center.  Jeremiah "Points" Osmeyer will soon be "Doctor O."  Jason Gentz was working himself to death in Kansas City, and as you remember Jason liked his free time.  He has returned to Herington, KS, and is in partnership with Gunner Keikaver working as finish carpenters and are again working themselves to death.  Well maybe, they do take a little time off for slow pitch softball and town team bb.

  Blake Turner continues to prosper as a computer analyst, but has been having second thoughts and is considering a return to school to become a coach.  Check the money, Blake.  Tony Depa gave up the money as a financial advisor and became a coach back home again in Sweet Louisiana.  He['s already been to the state twice, and says another good team is coming up.  Tony got his teaching credentials with on the job training working as a volunteer coach and substitute teacher while in the program.

  Jimmy Casas continues to earn a reputation as one of the top officials in the Denver area.  He was unable to attend the game we played there against Johnson * Wales U., but Jimmy told the refs to say hello for him.  Tyler Christensen continues to work towards a master's degree in education, but has moved to the California side of Arizona and is looking to get out of teaching.  Brother Chad continues as a dealer in the Casinos of Laughton, NV, just across the river from hometown, Bullhead City8, AZ.  Matt "Diesel" Broyles is (was) dating a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader who is rated a 12 on the 10 point scale according to Nate Lesovsky.  Matt does admit that "Tori" ;is really nice and that things were moving along well.  Now it is six months later and Matt has moved on.  Nate said Matt can find a flaw in perfection.  Nate is now with WIBW in Topeka, the biggewst station in Kansas, covering high school sports.  No engagement in sight on his horizon either.

 

  Sad news from Utah.  Bambi Thomas, wife of Danny, died this year.  Although I do not have the whole story, Bambi endured a coma resulting from serious comoplications during childbirth.  After recovering from the coma, she suffered a stroke and did not recover.  A lovely and endearing tribute to his wife was in the last questionaire I sent to you all.  Under the category line-wife, Danny had written, "Still the wonderful Bambi."  Danny is a youth counselor and completed masters in counseling.  He plans on a doctorate in Religion and Philosophy.  He sent a powerful sentiment to his teammates,

     "Looking back at the championship team today, I wish I would have enjoyed every moment.  Itis only today that I realize how special, influential, and immportant that group of guys were.  I have never enjoyed being part of a team as much as a Coyote."

 

  Marshall Lloyd is teaching 6th grade English and completed a master's degree.  He's moving on for a PhD and sees a few girls, but nothing serious developing.  Matt Crist is teaching and coaching in Garden City and naturally one of the best teachers in the system.  Travis Rhodes is selling cars here in Salina, and made over $8,000 his first month.  He was just passing time awaiting taking the Financial Advisor examination, but for right now, selling looks good.  Jeremy Grady is teaching and coaching in Dodge City.  Brad Emme is working for Ed Marling's appliance warehouse in Topeka.  Brother Craig is on the team at Ottawa U. after transferring from KWU.  Sam Gallegos is play8ng professional basketball in Mexico.  Henry Williams finished the fall semester at KWU and has 6 hours left for his degree.  He will be finishing with two courses at Metro State and be back for the robe walk this spring.  Jeremiah "JDubb" Webb is in law school at the U. of Pittsburg, PA.

  Brad Druse is teaching in Topeka at Highland Park or Shawnee Heights, I think.  Michael Bell is taking over the electrical company in Rossville, KS.  Jeremy Palenske married Jamie Weiland this summer and is the assistant golf professional at the Salina Elks Club golf course.  Trent Ainsworth looked fit and solid at the Alumni game.  He has continued in the "Blueprints" industry and is doing well as expected.

  Max Iselin taking a few courses and adjusting to fatherhood.  He and Jody visited Kansas last summer and my Mom was so emotional seein Max.  She was dying with only a few months left then, and you Jones Boys meant so much to her.  Max was wonderful with Mom.  They are building a new hose, a larger home.  I visited their "old" home and it was pretty fine.  A.J. Gatewood is teaching in South Bend.  He turned down an offer from the Salina schools.  Preston Seymour is at Fort Hays.  Wife Betsy is the number two assistant for the Fort Hays State women.  Jay Morton finishing up grad school in Texas.  Fred Goodnight running his own Collection Agency specializing in college lons.  He is prospering and buying the shoes for KWU and Indiana Tech (Jason Kline, Head Coach).  Fred answers the phone, "Fred Goodnight, future Hall of Famer and Jones's greatest basketball player.  Tell Shawn I had more assists than he did."  Seriously, Fred sort of organized the alumni get-together this year.  He and Shawn had a lot of guys back for a really fun gathering.  Kory Klingerburg received his degree from Kansas State and is in the construction business.  James Burpee entered the military.  Brandon Weidenhaft is a vet in Hays, one child.  He was back for the Alum game.  Guy McIntire still in Lawrence, KS, as an electrician.  Charles "Chuck" Coggins, Rob Tanner, Chris Swan were playing YMCA basketall with Matt Crist.  Matt thought they were really old timers.  Maybe they were to him, but I guess you guys are still the same age to me.  I have seen Rob and Chuck the past couple of years.  Chuck works with High Plains Energy Company as operations manager and Rob was playing golf at the Garden City Junior College Booster tournament when I visited with him.  Ricky Gray also played over-30 legue ball in Denver with Kenny Hysaw.  Kenny remains in the air industry.  Doug Key is Academic Dean in Chicago.  His son is on the major recruiting lists as a basketball prospect.  James Cole played golf at Washington, KS, with our business manager, Wayne Schneider.  James is married to former basketball tutor and KWU registrar, Julie.  Twins - Dwayne & Dwight Coleman still in Saint Louis working in social work with probabion officers.  AJ Murray finished MBA at KWU.  He plans on returning to the Phoenix area.  Salina will miss him.

  Dave Frederick came to Salina this summer to work the HOA camp with son, Josh.  Says next year he will bring whole family.  We weren't able to visit much with Dave as Mom was becoming bedfast at that time.  Tim Parker sent a Christmas card with picture of the four children.  He is still doing well in the medical supplies field.  They left Phoenix for Cleveland, and now back near family in Milwaukee.  As my mother-in-law is still in Milwaukee, maybe we can see them this summer.  Scott Schmidt is returning to school for his teaching degree.  He completed his masters in athletic training at Kansas State and was in the work force for a couple of years, but that coaching bug bit him somewhere.

  Al Tiller divorced this past year.  He stopped by with daughter Adrea and son Chris.  Al still keeps in touch often by phone and when he passes by.  He remains a professional salesman and very successful.  Adrea graduated from Gardner-Webb where she had a golf scholarship, and Chris finished up with a degree in International Relations.  He has been employed in the export business for about 5-7 years.  (Can it be possible?)

  Saw Eric Nichols in Topeka, and also last summer in Mankato while on a fishing trip.  Eric is a young man to watch on the rise.  He will be on major tv with his talent.  Kyle Bailey is engaged out in Los Angeles.  Frank Carranza finishing up at Rio Grande U. in Phoenix.  He played bb there the past two years.  Got to see his dad and younger brother while on a recruiting trip to Scottsdale last March.  Josh Melton is in Belleville working on the racetrack, Kansas best and America's finest high-banks dirt track.  Took Kathleen, daughter Jessica, with me to watch races courtesy of Josh and since didn't know why such good seats were available at the curves, we sat there...until the dirt clods covered uson the first pass of the cars.

 

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  Thanks to all of you for the wonderful life you have ranted me.  Someone once said, pick a job you love and you'll never work a day of your life.  He was right in my case.  I remember from my own basketball dreams, how important playing time was, particularly since I got so little of it.  We're all players in the big game now, and IO'm proud to have been able to spend some time as your coach.  Best wishes to you all and return these questionaires.  I've included addresses of your teammates as KWU has them, and an envelope (prepaid) for your updates.

 

Best wishes from Ol' Coach Jones