MITCHELL JONES - INDUCTEE #32
hall of fame fast fact:
When Mitch Jones was inducted into the PSHOF in 1974, he was in a wheelchair. The 72-year-old Jones had suffered a broken knee in a fall the previous week. "I guess I will hog the publicity on television and pictures in the newspaper because of my accident," Jones said in a Putt Powell story in the Jan, 20, 1975, Amarillo Daily News. "But I didn't plan my mishap."
Mitchell Jones
Lamesa’s Mitchell Jones was a 142-pound lineman for West Texas State in 1922-1924. Jones played football for Coach Sam Burton’s teams and was a teammate of PSHOF members, Odus Mitchell and Grady Burson.
Jones went on to become the football and basketball coach at Canyon High School and guided the Eagles to the state basketball finals in 1927.
Jones returned to WT as an assistant football coach and served one year as the Buffs’ head coach. His 1928 team went 3-6.
During his career, he also coached basketball, swimming, and track. Jones’ association with WT lasted close to 50 years. He became assistant dean of men in 1935 and dean of men in 1945. He served on many athletic committees and two terms as president of the Border Conference. Jones was inducted into WT’s Hall of Champions in 1987.
Dr. W. Mitchell Jones died in 1994, a month short of his 93rd birthday.
