Alumni News

Tom Jones – Illini Media loses another extraordinary alum

Posted by: Kit Donahue on 2008-07-10 14:22:19

Remembering Tom Jones
Reported by: Amanda Evans/ WCIA 3 News

Tuesday, Jul 1, 2008 @10:03pm CST

URBANA- Kids took to the ball field tonight to say good bye to the man who's paved the way for people with disabilities in Champaign-Urbana. Tom
Jones lost his battle to cancer early this morning. He was a long-time friend at WCIA 3 serving as sports director in the 60-s. But the legacy he leaves behind is far from over.

Jones was in a wheelchair since he was just five years old. His dream was that all kids, no matter what their abilities could play. And he did just that.

"Here i am in a wheelchair, can't walk, how am I going to get on and off airplanes, buses, travel with the team?"

In an interview five years ago.. Tom Jones remembered what ran through his mind when he was named sports director at WCIA. He knew a challenge when he saw one but never let his disability slow him down.

"When he got a job at channel three there weren't too many sports
directors that used a wheel chair," said friend and former co-worker Dave Shaul. Shaul worked as news director at WCIA with Jones.

You can still see Jone's influence here in the WCIA3 newsroom, ramps from hallway to hallway, proving once again he'd find his way around any challenge.

Tom Jones, november 2003, "It was not an easy job, which I did for 5 years, but it was something very wonderful."

His love of sports brought him to the ball diamond to start something
unbelievable for kids.

"He loved the game of baseball and his dream was that kids with special needs would have a chance to play the game that he loved," said Shaul.

Jones founded the team the "Challengers" ten years ago. It started
out with a dozen kids each with their own special skills. Player turned coach Lucas Probst had down syndrome, he was one of the first players, "Helping kids, batting, running have some fun." This year nearly 100 kids signed up.

Player Bryce Minion says, "I just like the atmosphere, the fans, the
teammates, I just love it."

On this field 11 year old Bryce is no different than any kid his age. His mom watches proudly from the side lines and knows if Tom Jones hadn't had a dream her son wouldn't have a place to play.

His mom Tara Minion knows what she'd say to Jones if she had the chance, "I would say thank you but that's not enough, it's going to
make me cry, but it is great thank you."

Jone's legacy will live on. Helping the kids make their way around the
bases and keeping a friends memory alive. Besides baseball, Jones worked to make ramps a right. He helped design the lay-out at the U of I making it one of the most handicap accessible campuses in the country. His friends say he will truly be missed.