Video Links:
Induction Speech (by son Kyle Jones)
Hall of Fame Video
Mike Jones, Eastern Michigan (Men's Swimming and Diving)
Mike Jones was Eastern Michigan’s men’s swimming and diving head coach for 21 years (1967-88). After leading Eastern Michigan men's swimming team to four NAIA National Championships followed by one NCAA-College Division National Championship, Jones led the transition of the program from the independent ranks to the Mid-American Conference in 1971 after the school was admitted to the league.
Once joining the MAC, Jones directed his team to a second-place finish, two thirds and a fourth in the first four years as a MAC member before going on an unprecedented winning streak over the next 12 years before retiring after the 1987-88 season.
Eastern Michigan men swimmers won their first MAC Championship under Jones in 1977-78, and after a fifth-place finish in 1978-79, the team would go on to record nine consecutive league titles. Jones was named MAC Coach of the Year nine times and Co-Coach of the Year once. His Eastern Michigan teams won 48 dual meets in a row during his tenure. Overall, Eastern Michigan posted a 177-50 dual-meet record (.779%) and 103-12 record (.896%) in league duals.
Jones received many 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 (CSCAA) for his achievements in coaching and was named to the Eastern Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1989 the Olds/IM Pool on Eastern Michigan’s campus was officially re-named the Michael H. Jones Natatorium in his honor.
Jones completed his undergraduate degree at Eastern Michigan in 1955 and earned two master's degrees, in 1963 and 1967 at Eastern Michigan. He passed away suddenly, Nov. 4, 2009, and is survived by his wife Judy, sons Kyle and Jay and four grandchildren.
