Ron Jones

Inducted: 2021

Ron Jones is a former Wildcat athlete, instructor, coach and athletic director. A native of Farnhamville, Iowa, Jones came to Wayne State as an athlete after transferring from Fort Dodge Junior College and competed two years (1961-63) in basketball and baseball. In his senior season, he was MVP in both basketball and baseball at WSC. Jones averaged 18.2 points per game in senior season, earning All-District and NAIA All-American honorable mention honors. After spending three years at Osage High School in Iowa, Jones gained his master’s degree from WSC in 1966 and joined the Wayne State physical education staff in 1967 and served as an assistant basketball and baseball coach. In three years as WSC men’s basketball assistant under Dave Gunther, WSC was 70-13 in three years and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament all three years. Jones became head men’s basketball coach in 1970 and was 53-45 in four seasons, taking a leave of absence for one year to work on his PHD at Kansas. He returned to Wayne State and became head baseball coach in 1978 and had an 81-79 record in four seasons while winning one NAIA District 11 title. During his coaching days, Jones started the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) chapter and was later named athletic director at Wayne State from 1982-87. He also served as head of the Physical Education Department and worked with then WSC President Ed Elliott in developing plans and getting the Wayne State Recreation Center built in the late 1980’s. Following his days at Wayne State, Jones served as an associate pastor (1995-2010) at New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. Retired in 2010, Jones now resides in Pella, Iowa. He also officiated football for 40 years, high school and college basketball for 39 years and baseball/softball for 29 years. Jones was inducted into the WSC Athletic Hall of Fame on April 30, 2022.