Lester Jordan Award
Presented to an individual for exemplary service to the Academic All-America® Program and the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete. Nominations solicted by, and voted on, by the Academic All-America® Core Committee.

by Jim Seavey, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Director of Athletic Communications

There's a reason why Bill Jones is one of the most highly respected and decorated members of the college sports information community. His legacy of service to the student-athletes, coaches and staff at Skidmore College that spans nearly four decades is a shining example of the impact that our profession has on so many.
 
That legacy also extends past the boundaries of the hamlet of Saratoga Springs, New York, as anyone who has worked with Jones at the regional and national levels knows that his is indeed a trusted voice that resonates the mission of college athletics loud and clear.

There aren't many honors that Jones, Skidmore's Senior Athletic Communications Manager, hasn't been bestowed with, which reflects the respect he has earned from colleagues and peers alike for his tireless advocacy of the student-athlete. A 2018 CoSIDA Hall of Fame inductee, the man who many refer to simply as "Jonesy" will add another accolade to his resume as the 2020 recipient of the organization's Lester Jordan Award for his longstanding service to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® program.
 
"It's one of the greatest things I've been a part of during my career," Jones, who joined the Academic Al-America Committee in 1992, said of the program. "Being able to make an impact in some small way on student-athletes is truly rewarding, and the experiences I've been able to share have been some of the most memorable moments."
 
 
Bill's involvement with the committee and the program came about as he was seeking a new challenge after serving on CoSIDA's Computer Committee.
 
"Back then, we would set up work stations and see what the latest software and programs were all about," he noted. "It had run its course, and I was definitely looking for a new outlet to help the organization."
 
What impressed Jones the most about the Academic All-America Committee was the people involved in the program, individuals who we considers mentors to this day: "Some of the best SID'S I knew were on the committee, people like (Bucknell Hall of Famer) Brad Tufts and (former Florida SID & CoSIDA Executive Director) John Humenik. They provided mentoring and guidance that I still use to this day."
 
Perhaps the direct impact of Bill's work with the program was made by a former men's basketball student-athlete at Skidmore, who was one of the school's first Academic All-America honorees and didn't necessarily appreciate how big of an honor it was at the time.
 
"I received a long letter from him about four years after he graduated," Jones recalled. "It took some time, but he fully realized how important being named as an Academic All-America was to him. He couldn't have been more appreciative, and most importantly, he has remained an active member of the Skidmore community."
 
If that doesn't represent exemplary service to the program and the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athletes, nothing does.
 
Bill's connection with the program also made an impact on a fellow Lester Jordan Award winner a few years back, as the late legendary Dick Enberg was on the Skidmore campus taking a tour with his son who attended the school for a semester.
 
"I remember during the tour talking with Dick about the program and how much I appreciated everything he had done for it," Jones said. "His son ended up leaving school, and Dick apologized to me for his son 'getting the acting bug', but he always thanked me for what I did to help. He used to call me "Skidmore" when I would see him at the Academic All-America Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and thank me for my work with the program. It just speaks to the type of person he was. I cherished those moments with Dick and interacting with the members of the Hall of Fame."
 
Bill points to the 2007 Academic All-America Hall of Fame ceremony in San Diego as one of those special moments, as he attended the event with his wife Vicky and their sons, Zack & Ryan. 
 
"I remember walking in and having the chance to speak with Joe Girardi, Pat Summitt, Julie Foudy and other inductees and past honorees. They all took the time to speak with the boys, and I just remember how great that experience was. It was the best minutes those kids could have," Jones noted.
 
Jones has seen the program grow and evolve since he first joined the Committee as a district coordinator nearly 30 years ago before taking on his current role as a national coordinator in 2001. Those changes reflect what he feels are the values, vision and mission that Lester Jordan set out to create some 67 years ago.
 
"I've always believed that the more athletes we can honor, the better," Bill said. "The program's expansion has created more opportunities for those stories to be told, and it's a great feeling to be a part of that in some small way."
 
It's safe to say that the CoSIDA Academic All-America program feels the same.