Brotherhood News 2006

The end of our run came this March. We had a good season finishing 17-13 with a loss to league champions, Southwester, in the semi-finals. A new coach was named last week, Tommy DeSalme, who is moving over to KWU from Sterling. There is a very good group for him here as we had only one senior. Your Coyotes will probably be the favorites in 2007 as there are several league leaders returning to KWU:

Kathleen and I have decided to gegin a scholarship fund here at KWU, The Jones Boys Scholarship. It is designated for basketball players, preferably education/coaching professionals. We have established the fund and it is possible for you to designate contributions to this Jones Boys Scholarship fund at KWU.

I am 68 years old now, and another reminder that it surely would be wonderful if everyone would return the questionnaire this time while I am still able to read them rather than having them read to me. The news about me or KWU is easy to get; but what everyone wants to read is the news put together about you (taken from your returned questinnaires). Here's the news from Lake Coyote-gone.

This is the greatest news item. Paul Walters is found. As many of you know, the story had circulated that Paul had disappeared and was presumed dead. He is alive and well in Sparta, Michigan. What wonderful news. Paul is the only individual picture that I kept above my desk of you guys. The picture was placed there because he was the only Jones Boy I did not know about. Amazing, Paul was the Newcomer of the Year back in the championship season of '86 and he is sort of the newcomer of the year 20 years later.

Brad Bingesser is asst. coach at 6A Blue Valley North HS. They made it to the Kansas State tournament this year. Brad is married now to a chiropractor. Perfect back rubs. His dad, Jon, former FB coach at KWU, just retired this year. Jon's Beloit HS team made the semi-finals in the state play-offs too.

Jeff Russell recently changed jobs going to work for Edward Jones Investments. Still coaches MAYBE youth games in the summer. "Even after 20 years, if you ever need anthing, Coach Jones is always ready to help. I needed some help and he took the time. I really appreciated that." (That was my favorite wild bunch, the "Sorry-Ass All-Americans" named by Kevin Wohler & Todd Clark. Rest of the bunch besides Russell, Wohler, and Clark included David Hagerman, Jimmy Casas, Rob or is it Rod Tanner, James Cole, Tim McKiernan, and Ryan Ellis.

Chris Swan married to Laurie with Alex (13), Andrew (11), Adisyn (4) and Ashlyn (2). Chris is an engineering technician for Sunflower Electric after being a teacher/coach for 13 years. At Laurie's high school reunion, ran into both Rob & Brent Tanner who married her classmates. Played a ton of town team ball against such guys as Scott Wiltfong, Mike Cox, T. Phox, Brian Mitchell and worked for Matt Crist's dad 1989-1992 when Matt was in grade school and junior high. Remember this-Russ Pleiman drinking kool-aid from a cup through his noxe making sure it was warm enough to avoid brain freeze! At the intra squad scrimmagewe were dunking during lay-ups and Simon Emidy held onto the rim a bit long and flipped over coming down on his head and shoulders. It was loud and unfortunate, but Simon bounced up like nothing happened. Came to find out Simon would beat his head against the wall at night before going to sleep. Even though I was at KWU only one semester, I have a ton of memories and stories. Thanks for the opportunity to further my basketball dreams.

Todd Q. Clark is the Head Women's BB Coach at Cowley County CC. They were nationally-ranked a year ago and only lost two games. CCCC was playing the weekend of my last game. Todd still remembers those lessons (stories) that I would tell (preach) to you guys about landing that job you wanted. It still warms my heart whenever I hear about one of you coaching.

Jimmy Casas was scheduled to referee our game in Denver with Johnson & Wales University; however the game was changed from 7:00 to 2:00 the same afternoon and like most referees, Jimmy had an earlier game scheduled too. That is how those refs make the big bucks, I guess. Sent his apologies with the substitute refs. He could have just sent his ref shirt as we won by 30 or so.

Brent Avery is the trainer at Wofford College, South Carolina. He sent this sentimental message. "Beat the Hell out of Bethany this year." (We didn't, they finished second, a gave ahead of us). A bonus about being NCAA I, is that we opened the season at the Miami Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl, a bit different than opening with the Bethel Threshers Football city rental field. The one thing that never changes with basketball is that the coach is always right, and I would say that Coach Jones was the best at getting that point across to anyone be it player, official, or just a young, stupid trainer. On a personal note, still living the single life. Maybe one of these days I won't be cooking for myself. Hello to all the old crew from me.

Tracy Mann is married to Angie with two girls, Drew and Sara. "It was an honor to be a part of the team of 83-84, a memorable experience. Tracy lives in Barnes, KS, working in a horse trailer factory, raising the kids and having a great time watching them grow up. He plans to keep growing in the Christian faith (John 3:16) and everything else will fall into place. (I also remember how well Tracy could throw the discus.)

Doug Key has a Master's degree in Education and Administration. He is the Dean of Students/Assistant Principal at Frederick Douglass HS. His son is team captain at University of Idaho in the WAC. Doug says, "If you need some good recruits, call me." He's right. I should have called more.

Scott Polzin living across thestreet from the new San Diego Padres baseball stadium. Scott is an administrator at a very large retirement community. Wife Alicia is on the professional volleyball beach tour after winning an NCAA championship and playing in three final fours at Long Beach State. She then played on the USA National Team for a couople of years before playing professionally in Italy and Greece. Watch for her on Sunday TV. Scott hasn't touched a basketball in years, but beach volleyball is easier on the knees. Alicia will play for a couple more years, then we will start a family.

Several of the champions of 1986 were back for the 20th reunion; and I expect nearly everyone will be back for the 25th. It was very humbling and gratifying to hear such nice compliments from those good old days, even though there were more funny and true to life stories after the appropriate ceremonies. Back were Dr Jacques Porter, Gary Upshaw, Russ Pleiman, David Frederick, and Ray Kujawa.

It is Doctor Jacques Porter now. He was met here by his adoptive family, the Don Schmitt's. Jacques degree is in education. My wife let him know there was going to be an opening here, but Jacques has his eye on another job in Tennessee. He is so thin and fit, he looks ready to be a tv star.

Pleiman and Frederick were working the Heart of America Camps again last summer and brought their sons to the camps. Those little guys are getting bigger. Mrs. Pleiman (Monica) was named the Colorado State Alumnus of the Year. Message for the teams from Russ. "I wasn[t the most talented player. I just listened to the coaches and did what others did not want to do, and thanks to my great teammates, we won the KCAC."

T-Phox, Frederick, and Deering have mentioned a meeting where I defined everyone's role. I don't remember that. I do remember my lungs getting a little sore during game action when my ideas for a role didn't include shooting on the first pass or sometimes shooting without a pass. I think we must have had practices like that too.

Howard Alexander was inducted nto the KWU Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. Howard wrote, "KWU basketball taught me never to give up and to fight until you have nothing else to give. Those teachings are paying great dividends in this part of my life with me being a Colon Cancer Survivor. I will never stop fighting and I will never give up. I love you, Coach Jones, and the teammates of KWU."