Mid-Atlantic wrestling leader Rick Jones has passed away after battle with cancer
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by Virginia Amateur Wrestling Association
Rick Jones (left), posed with family, was active in wrestling for 50 years and made a big impact in his community.
On Sunday March 12th, the Mid-Atlantic wrestling community lost Rick Jones, 61, a beloved friend, mentor, coach, father, and husband after a courageous battle with cancer. He died peacefully and comfortably yesterday surrounded by his family.
Rick Jones’s involvement in wrestling as an athlete, teacher, coach, and state leader spanned over 50 years. He wrestled for Langley HS in McLean, VA and then went on to compete for and graduate from Iowa State University.
As a coach, he was the head wrestling coach at Palatka High School in Florida and Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where he won four District titles, one Regional title, and over 100 dual meets. He was an assistant coach at Woodson, Langley, Herndon, Hayfield and Robinson High Schools in northern Virginia.
Rick's influence as a physical education teacher for 35 years, wrestling coach, football coach, and friend to many will live on in the many organizations to which he contributed throughout his life.
The international styles were Rick’s passion and he played an instrumental role in coaching the Southern Maryland Wrestling Club, one of the premier clubs on the East Coast particularly during the 1990s and 2000s, that produced multiple high school state champions, Fargo All-Americans, national champions, and a handful of athletes that pursued world and Olympic teams (including his oldest son Brent who was a freestyle OTC resident athlete).
He also served as a national team director and other capacities as a board member of Virginia USA Wrestling for three decades. Over the years, Rick made 17 trips to Fargo with the Virginia team including multiple trips years after his sons' competitive careers had ended.
In his coaching career, Rick was named Maryland Coach of the year three times, Gunston high school District Coach of the Year two times and the NWCA and NVWCA Assistant coach of the year.
“For the last 23 years, Rick was a stalwart assistant and integral part of our program at Robinson Secondary School. His loyalty and dedication to the athletes of Robinson have been, and will continue to be, a catalyst for the program's continued success. Many young men and women in the greater Virginia/ Maryland wrestling community attribute their success in wrestling and life to Coach Jones.” – Bryan Hazard, head wrestling coach of Robinson Secondary School
In life, he was most proud of his boys Brent, Matt, and Wes who competed for Robinson and the Virginia national teams. Rick Jones was a stoic coach and family man who led by example. While his presence will be missed, his legacy as a coach and leader will live on in the many programs, students, and athletes that he guided and befriended throughout the years.
Rick is survived by his loving wife Barbara and his sons, Brent, Matt, and Wes.
On Sunday March 12th, the Mid-Atlantic wrestling community lost Rick Jones, 61, a beloved friend, mentor, coach, father, and husband after a courageous battle with cancer. He died peacefully and comfortably yesterday surrounded by his family.
Rick Jones’s involvement in wrestling as an athlete, teacher, coach, and state leader spanned over 50 years. He wrestled for Langley HS in McLean, VA and then went on to compete for and graduate from Iowa State University.
As a coach, he was the head wrestling coach at Palatka High School in Florida and Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where he won four District titles, one Regional title, and over 100 dual meets. He was an assistant coach at Woodson, Langley, Herndon, Hayfield and Robinson High Schools in northern Virginia.
Rick's influence as a physical education teacher for 35 years, wrestling coach, football coach, and friend to many will live on in the many organizations to which he contributed throughout his life.
The international styles were Rick’s passion and he played an instrumental role in coaching the Southern Maryland Wrestling Club, one of the premier clubs on the East Coast particularly during the 1990s and 2000s, that produced multiple high school state champions, Fargo All-Americans, national champions, and a handful of athletes that pursued world and Olympic teams (including his oldest son Brent who was a freestyle OTC resident athlete).
He also served as a national team director and other capacities as a board member of Virginia USA Wrestling for three decades. Over the years, Rick made 17 trips to Fargo with the Virginia team including multiple trips years after his sons' competitive careers had ended.
In his coaching career, Rick was named Maryland Coach of the year three times, Gunston high school District Coach of the Year two times and the NWCA and NVWCA Assistant coach of the year.
“For the last 23 years, Rick was a stalwart assistant and integral part of our program at Robinson Secondary School. His loyalty and dedication to the athletes of Robinson have been, and will continue to be, a catalyst for the program's continued success. Many young men and women in the greater Virginia/ Maryland wrestling community attribute their success in wrestling and life to Coach Jones.” – Bryan Hazard, head wrestling coach of Robinson Secondary School
In life, he was most proud of his boys Brent, Matt, and Wes who competed for Robinson and the Virginia national teams. Rick Jones was a stoic coach and family man who led by example. While his presence will be missed, his legacy as a coach and leader will live on in the many programs, students, and athletes that he guided and befriended throughout the years.
Rick is survived by his loving wife Barbara and his sons, Brent, Matt, and Wes.
