Thank you for everything Coach Jones

Although it was expected from people close to the situation, I'm saddened to report that the Father of EMU swimming, Coach Mike Jones has passed away. I've been told he was with his family during his transition and he felt no pain. I came across this M-Live link which describes a portion of his amazing legacy as an athlete, a coach and a mentor. Here is a short excerpt from that article:

"For nearly thirty years, Coach Jones was a professor of Physical Education and the Men's Swimming Coach at Eastern Michigan University, his Alma Mater. During that time, he led the Hurons to unprecedented heights in intercollegiate swimming: his teams won four NAIA national championships, one NCAA College Division national championship, and, once EMU entered NCAA Division I athletics, 11 Mid-American Conference championships in 12 years. He was named MAC Coach of the Year nine times, was awarded the Master Coach Award from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America, and was named to EMU's Hall of Fame in 1985. He retired from coaching after the 1987-88 season. In 1989, the pool at EMU's campus was officially re-named the Michael H. Jones Natatorium in his honor. He was proud that several of his swimmers followed his example and became high school and collegiate swimming coaches themselves. Coach Jones completed his undergraduate degree at EMU in 1955, where he played varsity baseball; he later received two master's degrees, also from EMU. He played amateur baseball and hockey, and won several national championships. Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Coach Jones taught and coached swimming at Hazel Park High School. After retirement, he resumed his second love, golf, and rarely missed a day on the links."

Coach Mike Jones will be missed by so very many whose lives he touched.

I will miss you Coach Jones, thank you for everything