Una To Dedicate Bill Jones Plaza On July 20

Jul. 10, 2012

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - In recognition to his contributions to the University of North Alabama as a student-athlete, coach and athletic administrator, UNA will hold a dedication ceremony for the newly created Bill Jones Plaza on Friday, July 20 at 4 p.m. The 800-square foot plaza is located on North Pine Street in Florence in front of Flowers Hall and includes a flower garden, tables and a seating area for visitors and a brick and limestone structure that supports a plaque detailing Jones' contributions to the University. Bill Jones Plaza is adjacent to the entrance to the recently named Bill Jones Athletic Complex at UNA that includes, Flowers Hall, Self Field House, Mike Lane Field and the UNA soccer and football practice field. Jones widow, Joan, will be on hand for the dedication ceremony along with their sons Rex and Kem, daughter Pam and other family members. Jones grandson, Barrett Jones, who won the 2011 Outland Trophy as an offensive lineman for the University of Alabama's national championship team, is scheduled to give the invocation at the dedication. Bill Jones, who passed away in 2008 at the age of 72, was a Lion basketball player and a 1958 UNA graduate. He returned to Florence in 1974 as UNA's men's basketball coach and assistant athletic director and became UNA's first full-time athletic director in 1987. In 14 years as UNA's basketball coach, Jones compiled a 259-141 record that included three Gulf South Conference championships, six NCAA Tournament appearances, five NCAA regional championships, four Final Fours and the 1979 Division II National Championship. He also won a remarkable 81 percent of his home games played at UNA's Flowers Hall. In his 20-year role as an athletic administrator, Jones was instrumental in molding UNA into one of the premier Division II athletic programs in the nation. Under Jones, UNA won five Gulf South Conference Women's All-Sports trophies, two men's GSC All-Sports trophies, three Division II National Championships and 25 GSC championships in nine different sports.