Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Wesleyan rallies behind local alumnus

By megan fedele

mbfedele@vwc.edu

Virginia Wesleyan College joined together as a campus community Feb. 23 at the Marlin’s basketball game to support one of our own. St. Clair Jones is an alumnus of the class of 1992. On Jan. 22, Jones was seriously injured on his way to work when his car hit black ice.

All proceeds from all ticket sales, concessions and program sales were donated to the St. Clair Jones Recovery Fund.

“This was a great opportunity to help out an alumnus and make a statement to the Tidewater area that Virginia Wesleyan cares,” said Joanne Renn, athletic director.

Jones was a recreation and leisure studies major in his time at Virginia Wesleyan. In addition to being a dedicated student, he was a member of the varsity baseball team. Following his graduation in ’92, he worked alongside Coach Nick Boothe for four years.

“He is a guy that you love being around,” said Boothe “He is always upbeat and positive.”

Jones currently coaches baseball and is a special education teacher at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach. He is looking forward to returning to work in the next two weeks.

“Once I got home from the hospital, I was immediately ready to get back to my kids at school,” said Jones.

Jones is a well-respected coach among his baseball team at Kellam. His team motto is “one team, one goal.” He encourages his students not only to be successful on the baseball field but also in the classroom.

Tenth-grader Blake Leebrinck said, “One team, one goal’ means that we are all together as one team for one purpose. That is exactly how he is — he doesn’t give up on anything, why should we?”

No one has given up on Jones. In fact, family and friends have organized multiple fundraisers to help support his recovery efforts.

“We met as an athletic department and thought that it would be an appropriate gesture to help an alumnus of his time of need because he would do it for us,” said Assistant Baseball Coach Mike Lloyd.

The Virginia Wesleyan community was more than willing to help Jones out in his time of need. The

Convocation Center was packed, a clear indication of support by students of Virginia Wesleyan, parents, alumni, staff and neighbors in the Tidewater Area.

Jones said, “The school has shown me overwhelming support. I have felt a whole lot of love from past professors, coaches and friends.”