Congratulations to former SIU Head Baseball Coach Richard "Itchy" Jones on his selection to the MVC Hall of Fame.
In his 21 years as the Saluki leader (1970-1990), Coach Jones guided SIU to a 738-345-5 record which included 10 NCAA appearances and he took the Dawgs to the College Words series three. times...1970. 1974 and 1977. In his second year coaching in Carbondale (1970), the Salukis came within one game of the national championship, finishing third in his other CWS appearances. During his Saluki tenure, Itchy coached 18 major league players. and in his 39-year collegiate coaching career, he compiled a 1,242-752-6 record and is 18th on he all-time winning list. On a personal note, I found Coach Jones to one of the friendliest, most personable coaches I have ever had the pleasure to meet. At SIU, he was interested in all sports and its athletes.
The league will conducts its annual HOF ceremony on March 6 as part of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Championship in St. Louis.
Congratulations to former SIU Head Baseball Coach Richard "Itchy" Jones on his selection to the MVC Hall of Fame.
In his 21 years as the Saluki leader (1970-1990), Coach Jones guided SIU to a 738-345-5 record which included 10 NCAA appearances and he took the Dawgs to the College Words series three. times...1970. 1974 and 1977. In his second year coaching in Carbondale (1970), the Salukis came within one game of the national championship, finishing third in his other CWS appearances. During his Saluki tenure, Itchy coached 18 major league players. and in his 39-year collegiate coaching career, he compiled a 1,242-752-6 record and is 18th on he all-time winning list. On a personal note, I found Coach Jones to one of the friendliest, most personable coaches I have ever had the pleasure to meet. At SIU, he was interested in all sports and its athletes.
The league will conducts its annual HOF ceremony on March 6 as part of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Championship in St. Louis.
I think they're late in inducting Itchy into the HOF. But better late than never. This guy is a class act and always represented SIU well. It's a well deserved honor.
I had the pleasure of working with Itchy's brother RA Cowboy Jones at Balmoral Park I think in 1989. He was a blast to work with. He rode a few horses in a few races and I think he was in his 60's. He talked about Itchy all the time since he knew I was a Saluki.
