Athletic Hall of Fame

Michael H. Jones

Sport(s): Swimming and Diving

Induction Class: 1985

EMU left the independent ranks in 1971 to join the Mid-American Conference and the Hurons recorded a second, two thirds and a fourth-place finish from 1972-73 through 1976-77, before the Jones magic returned in championship performances. Eastern won its first MAC championship in 1977-78 and after a fifth-place finish in 1978-79, the Green and White ran off nine consecutive league titles before Jones retired as head coach after the 1987-88 season. He was named MAC Coach of the Year nine times and Co-Coach of the Year once in his 16 years in the league. His EMU teams won 48 dual meets in a row when he left coaching. Jones received numerous awards in his coaching career, including having Feb. 27, 1971, proclaimed Mike Jones Day by the state of Michigan Legislature. He received the Master Coach Award from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America for his achievements in coaching and was named to the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also selected as one of the U.S. Olympic Swim team's assistant coaches in 1970. In 1989 the Olds/IM Pool on the EMU campus was officially re-named the Michael H. Jones Natatorium in his honor. Prior to returning to EMU as a coach, Jones was the head swimming coach at Hazel Park High School from 1960-66 where he led that school to great success. His Hazel Park teams recorded a 50-39 dual-meet record and he was named the Coach of the Year in the SMA in 1965 and in 1966 was singled out as the Michigan Amateur Aquatics Coach of the Year.

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