KWU is in the midst of a very rough season.  We haven't been very successful to put it mildly.  We signed some really good prospects, but couldn't hold on to them.  These are great kids on the team, and I liken them a lot to resembling the tems back in 1983 and in 1997 when you guys built such fine paths for the future.  This March, I will become 67, and it is going to be time for me to retire from this profession you have helped me love so much.  Next season, 2006, will be my last year.  It would be wonderful to hve you all return the questionaires this time.  If you are ever in Salina, plese stop by Jonzie's Gym at 357 Sunset Drive, just a few blocks from the campus.  You would enjoy seeing the place.  Enough about me--here is the news of your teammates:

 

  Johnny Patterson, Houston, TX, was a redshirt here for one season and moved back to Texas.  He is a technician for Magpie Systems.  JP went to tech school after KWU and is married to Karen with two lovely daughters, Tatyana (4) and Anaya (2).  His main task is inspection of pipelines and his truck is new and loaded up like a computer lab.

 

  Coach Mike Kopmeyer, died this January, from injuries in an auto accident suffered Christmas Eve.  He battled right up to the end.  Mike was unable to talk after the accident, and he died right before being able to speak again.  The brething tubes and the return to normal eating were scheduled for Wednesday nd his systems just shut down on Monday.  Dathleen and I were able to see him twice in the hospital before he left us.  Be careful on that road guys.  Mike was such an admirer of you.  He always spoke of KWU as the highlight of his coaching career.

  Mike's protege, Roy Lawrence, continues as head coach at Saint John's Military School, Salina.  He has a real prospect in Anthony Durant, a 6'6" kid with a lot of skills (although not as good as his younger brother, Kevin, who went on to star at Texas and become the NBA first pick.)  Roy is a co-owner and administrator with the Salina Cagerz of the USBL.  Roy hasn't married, and he continues as the Most Eligible Bachelor in town until some lady runs him down.  Roy is the Dr. Bissell of SJMS.  He is truly "MNr. St. John's."

 

  Terrence Phox's daughter, Kamri (12) is playing basketball against Kevin Wohler's daughter, Carson.  T-Man is now teaching science and coaching at Wichita Collegiate.  Kim has moved to hospital sales for Berlos Labs.  Son, Markus, straight A's (thanks Kim) and went with a Wichita BB All-Star team to Louisiana.

 

  Lance Dible, assistant coach for the top ten NCAA II Fort Hays State women's team, and wife, Maisha, have been joined by Zoie Lee Dible (1).  Brother Brady is at KWU lettering in golf and BB here.  We see Lance on the road at most Clinics and try-out camps.  Lance is an instructor now in the Health and Human Performance Dept. at Fort Hays State U.

 

  Some of you will remember John Preston, football player adopted into the Trulson's family.  after Barry's funeral, I included John in the mailings and here is a bit about him.  (Wish you all would be so complete.)  Several memories of playing football with Doug Key and T-Man Phox.  Especially enjoyed homecoming win over Sterling where Preston escorted Jackie Jones as royalty.  Live blessed with wife, Normanique and children, Johnathan, Jhimon, and Jarrett.  John is a lab tech for Atofina, a global petro-chyemical company.  Main passion is off-shore fishing with his kids.

 

  Mike Cox is still with the company fter 18 yers (Independent Insurance?)  Mike and his KWU beauty, Julie, have two boys 14 & 12 and an 8 year old daughter.  All love sports.  Memories:  On our recruiting trip to KWU, Russ Pleiman, Jim Casas & Ryan Ellis sunbathing on Front St.  Had gret times with Kim & Terrance Phox after we had graduated.  Many of the games during the 82-83 season found Coach Jones so excited in his first year, he would substitute so many times, he frustrated the refs.  Sometimes players would go in during a free throw and come back out during the second shot, not even getting to play.  Also spent a few nights after practice helping find his pickup that Lance Taylor and Charles Hall used for the Salina South HS prom.

 

  Eric "Easy E" Smith and his memories:  Russ "Gentle Giant" Pleiman, Gus "Sylvester Stallone" Deering, Bill "The Kid" Smith, Barney "Goldberg WWF" Gray."T-Man" Phox, Howard "Little Zipper" Alexander.  Somethings I never forgot like Coach Jones hollering at Billy Smith and somehow his teeth winding up on the gym floor or "What the Sam Hill is going on?"  Eric asks about the Video we made back in 1986 and I gave my last copy to L.C. Crockett.  It hasn't got back yet.  Any copies out there?  Eric has been working as a computer analyst in the health care field for a medical claims service.  However he is becoming the director of a youth sports program in Atlanta.  While the Easy has not married, he did send pictures of son, Stephen Amie Allen Smith.

 

  Brad Larremore is back teaching and coaching again and loves it.  Brad and wife, Melanie have a new son, Braden William who will "shoot the three."  Memories of the first day of practice after preseason running, "I thought the rest would be easy.  We practiced from 6:00 to 8:30; but it took until after 10:00 to make 70% of our free throws.  We ran a full suicide for a missed front end of a 1 and 1."  I remember being mad and confused over Jeff Wells never coming out for basketball our first year.  He hated Wesleyan and always wanted to go home.  I basically disassociated myself with him and thought he would head back home and be a loser!  Well, we know the rest of the story now.  Jeff stuck it out, came out for hoops and ended up an All-KCAC performer twice and met his wife, and now is "Mr. Salina."  Jeff should be a lesson for all those scared, homesick, and confused freshmen!!!"  (Jeff & Brad were in each other's wedding parties.)

 

  David Hagerman is a support rep for Varian Medical Sysems (engineering tech for coordinating medi-macines and comoputers specializing in oncology systems)  He stopped by a practice, and I recognized him right away.  He has more hair than ever, otherwise loks the same as he did back in the fall of '82.  The knees are more worn out now, both of them according to David, but he has kept playing.

 

Todd Clark is now the head coach of Cowley County Community College women's team.  CCCC is 19-1, leading the Jayhawk Conference and nationally ranked.  Great job of recruiting and coaching.

 

Jeff Russell has left Wenger Manufacturing and is entering the financial advising field.  He still lives near Sabetha and would love to hear from some of his old teammates.

 

Tony Depa who enjoyed tremendous success as a high school coach in Louisana has moved out to California.  He is an assistnt coach now, with maybe a little more time to enjoy life.  The urge to travel came and Tony answered.

 

Tim Parker on memories:  "Why just one?  The team was and is everything.  I'd still put it all on the line for each of them.  Bryan Ward and Jeff Tillman, both prideful, working against odds, competitive, never ever quitting, dealing with life on and off the court.  I remember every minute---I appreciate every memory.  Preseason, practice, bench, court time or show time was all the same to me.  It was all part of it and I can't separate the commitment.  My memory is fun, work, success, friendship and mostly team.  I prefer that instant of memory.  I'm fortunate to have chosen the perfect woman to experience life together.  We've been blessed with opportunity and success.  We have four amazing children:  Emma (11), Madeline (10), Joseph (8) and Eddie (1).  Nothing, absolutely nothing comoares to walking in from work and having your kids acknowledge you as daddy with smiles, kisses, and hugs while sharing their own personal life experiences all at once.  The chaos!  The joy!

 

Howard Alexander.  Robert Jackson was probably the best leader I ever played with.  I enjoyed all the guys.  Jeff Wells, Kevin Chevis, Brad Larremore---we all endured three years of Hell.  I will never forget that Coach Jones left me at home my first collegiate game because I wouldn't play defense.  I guess you decided defense wasn't that important later on (Zipper is the #2 all-time scorer at KWU).  I believe I was an excellent defensive player, but wife, Angie, tells me differently.  Son, Aaron (13) didn't learn defense from me.  He actually can play that D.  Ashley (9) is quicker than I ever was and baby, Alyssa (8), is a very good shooter.  At Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbaba, IL, as administrator.

 

Fred Goodnight is married to Heidi with first child, Taylor Kirsten Goodnight.  Fred owns a collection agency with his brother, B.J. (Bill).  Fred is still waiting for the Hall of Fame invitation after breaking Gentz's career three point record.  Being an unselfish player, Fred would like to remind Shawn Ellis again that there is more than one way to lead the team in assists.

 

Shawn Ellis, assistant coach and the recruiter, at Cloud County CC has Cloud at their best ever level in the Jayhawk Conference in fourth place well on their way to a play-off experience.  His sister married this past year and is living in Florida.

 

Jeremy Coombs left assistant coaching job at Highland Junior College, KS, to take an assistant coaching position at NCAA Division I, Nicholls State, LA.  He is passing on a lot of names to us.  (In my opinion, HCC is also having their best season thanks to the summer recruiting J.C. did for them.)

 

Troy Katen is at Hastings College as assistant coach.  Married to Stacy with daughter, Brooke, now two.  Troy was the last three sport letterman at KWU with letters in basketball, baseball and football.

 

Eric Cooper is coaching at Deerfield, KS.  Wife, Michelle, was expecting.  I may have missed the name as baby was due in August.  Still uses the weave drills on the first day of practice.

 

Tyler Christensen remembers the trip to Oklahoma and when he said that if Blake or Trent got 40 points, he would put that red dirt in his lip chew, and Trent went for 40.  I puked from that crap.  No wife or girl firend, but looking to get out of teaching and into high finance.

 

Blake Turner recalls KWU scoring the last 17 points of the game against Grandview to win by one in front of all his relatives in McKendree, IL.  No wife yet for Blake.

 

From Nate Lesovsky, "With the characteres we had on those teams, there are way too many memories to list.  How about Max Iselin and Matt Broyles fighting amongst each other for the rebound and dropping it out of bounds.  Coach calls timeout.  Matt says, "Judas Priest, Max!"  Jones says, "I already said it.  I already said it."  Classic stuff.  The teammates that I was lucky enough to play with and the memories we made were well worth the student loan payment that I send once a month."  Work as sales rep for Data Call Tech out of Dallas, "I figure if Kyle Bailey can find a good woman, then there is hope for Broyles and me yet."

 

Kyle Bailey came by and he looks great.  Now in Los Vegas heading up the corporate ladder.

 

Gary Sisler is temporally working at Kohl's Dept store in Greeley as loss prevention supervisor while waiting on the DEA job.  Lots of memories about playing ball at KWU, and miss the blood, sweat, and tears everyone poured into a common goal and the comradeship of friends.  Best memories come from conditioning with Coach Bishop where we all had to see how tough we were.  "Travis Rhodes, never realized how good he was until I was done.  Hope he is doing all right."

 

Max Iselin just completed his Masters of Arts degree in educational administration and supervision.  He and Jody just completed building a big-big-big  house.  They were able to stop by on a hurried visit through Kansas last summer.  Max was the last Jones Boy to see my mother before she passed away.  She talked about you guys a lot.

 

I last wrote that Henry Williams was playing in the pro Ontario League.  It folded and Henry never got paid.  Had to borrow money to get home.  Finished KWU degree and working for a Youthville type school, and while at work, his apartment was broken into.  Everything, everything was stolen including clothes, stereo, tv, furniture, and even his new puppy.  Two months later Henry hydroplanes on ice going to work and is thrown through the side window, scrapes all across the highway, breaks his upper arm, needed eye surgery, and collapsed lung, and was in the hospital for a month.  That streak of bad luck is over.  Amen!!

 

Coach Jason Kline, Indiana Tech, is going great guns making the National Finals last year, ranked in top ten for last two years, and with Jolina now has two sons, Jacob and Jackson.  Jason is in the running for a lot of jobs including D-II Indiana U-Fort Wayne.  The Fort Wayne newspaper has done a couple of feature stories on the Kline coaching family, and there will be more I'm sure.  Son, Jackson Tyler born this year and Jason had his 100th win plus set Indiana Tech record of 27 wins in a season.

 

Here are a few quick snippets for your review:  Matt Meyer in Denver pursuing mystery, romance, and adventure.  Dwight & Dwayne Coleman still working two jobs in St. Louis.  Their nephew & son dunked the rim off in Jonzie's Gym after the alumni game.  Broyles has raised even his standard up as he has moved on from the Dallas Cheerleader in the search for feminine perfection.  Nate shold follow him around just to pick up his rejects.  Travis Rhodes is making too much in car sales to move on right now.  Just brought a house in Salina.  Dave Frederick and Russ Pleiman with sons, Josh and Brandon, worked the HOA basketball camp in Salina and stopped by the gym.  Billy Smith is thinking of coming to Salina.  Jeff Tillman also called.  It would be great to see them back here, expecially together.  It is Doctor Ostmeyer now.  Can we still call him "Points?"  Brad Bingess is an assistant coach in the Blue Valley system near Kansas City.  He married last year, resigned as head coach at Salina Central, and moved to KC where his wife has her medical practice.  Bryan Gardere still coaching one of the nations best high school women's team in the USA at Piedmont in Oakland.  Bryan is also merchandising his own line of sportswear, and organizing a tour to Japan.  His broken arm healed, Trent is playing city league again, and his team is a serious threat in the Iowa Stategames.  Remains in business with his dad and on the lookout like Broyles.  Matt Crist remained out west despite numerous offers to move east as teacher and coach.  Jeremy Grady is in elementary education in Dodge City.  He'll never be driven "out of Dodge."  Lucas MacDonald is the #1 assistant at NCAA Division I Birmingham Southern University.  His recruiting at Dodge City JC paid off Big-Time.  JDub Webb in second year of law school at Pittsburg, PA.  Jeremy Palenske is now the Head Golf Professional at Salina Elks Country Club Golf Course.  Josh Melton's dad was inducted into the National Dirt Track Hall of Fame this year.  Josh still in Belleville, the old home town.  Chad Christensen has a son, Colby Eric.  He is still working at the Laughton City Casinos.  The Christensen family has another brother, Chet, who is a senior this year.  Blake Turner is at home in Springfield, IL, as a computer analyst--probably for the rest of history.  Can you picture Blake, the mayor?

 

Here is this year's feature story:  James Burpee passed his financial advisor's exam on the first try.  Remember how he was studying on the Japan trip?  Worked as an advisor for two years, then joined the Navy.  He opted for "Special Operations where James became a helicopter side gunner and rescue swimmer.  This month (January), a loaded transport helicopter went down in the Atlantic.  James was one of the special ops people sent out for rescue and survival duties.  The water was 33 degrees.  He was in a long time putting soldiers on the ropes.  Hypothermia began to kick in as James went after his 8th victim of the crash.  According to James,

  "It went right into my head.  Coach Jones always said, 'No matter how tired you are, you can always make one more effort.'  Coach, you were right.  I put those comments in the newspaper when we got back to the hospital and shore."

 

As I wrote earlier, my career is winding down.  Jessica was my only daughter, and she is doing great as an assistant fashion designer for the Knellwood Corp.  But what fine Jones Boys I have been privileged to know.  In a way, you are all my sons, and I am so proud of all of you, all my sons.

 

There are a lot of guys that I didn't hear from this time.  Your teammates are interested in you.  (Remember that old speech?)  They love you and care about you.  If you can get the Questionaire back, the info will be passed on.

 

Love from Ol' Coach Jones