Grandpa's Legacy

A few days ago I found out that there has been a scholarship set up in my dad's name. The Mike Jones Memorial Scholarship is a $600 college scholarship available to a senior at Eisenhower High school. The student has to write a 250 word essay explaining how a coach or sport had a positive influence on him/her. The scholarship was set up by the Rendina family. Beth Rendina was one of the many MANY kiddos my dad coached.
Sportsmanship was a big deal to my dad, and he made sure it was a big deal to the kids on his teams too. Our soccer team was the first team in LAOSA league history to win both the league championship and the sportsmanship award. That was when I was in 1st grade, but he was so proud that I still remember. He coached my soccer teams throughout elementary school and coached Steven and Michelle's teams too.

He also not only coached, but founded Lawton's very first competitive (traveling) softball team. We placed in class B state. The team continued even after I stopped playing and eventually went on to class A nationals! He coached my softball teams for 8 years (2 of them year round) and coached Michelle's teams (which were way better than mine) for 7.

He also coached baseball and basketball a few times.

I always assumed that some day we would coach my daughter's team together. It makes me sad that Kylee never got to meet him and that he never got to meet her. I know he would be so proud of her! I plan to tell Kylee lots about him so that she can be just as proud of him as I am.