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Dee Jones to Retire After 30 Years of Service at the Naval Academy

Article reposted from Navy Sports
Author: Navy Sports

Dee Jones, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, is retiring after 30 years of service at the Naval Academy.

“I could not be more appreciative of the leadership and professionalism that has been Dee Jones over the past 30 years,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. “She set the bar with the sports medicine staff and her relationships with our student-athletes was one of respect and mutual admiration.  We will miss Dee very much.”

“Dee Jones is one the unsung heroes of Navy Football and the Naval Academy,” said Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo.  “Thirty years of dedicated service and care for thousands of midshipmen during her tenure is something I know she is very proud of.  She is a Hall of Fame Trainer who will be sorely missed by many.  So many of us have been blessed by Dee Jones- simply put; she was the best!”

“Thirty years go by in an instant. I have cherished each and every moment, especially working with such amazing leaders, administrators, coaches, physicians, athletic trainers and athletes,” said Jones.  “I came to work every day with a positive attitude, motivated to be the best I could be as the athletes tried to be their best.  I am humbled and inspired by the exceptional student-athletes I have worked with, marveling at the great people they have become; it has truly been my honor to serve my real-life heroes.  I will forever be one of Navy’s greatest fans.”

 

Jones was instrumental in facilitating a learning environment in the athletic training department at Navy. She initiated an internship program for undergraduate athletic trainer students that exposed them to the unique environment of the Naval Academy, while allowing them to gain the practical athletic training experience required to become certified. In addition, she created postgraduate internship positions that allowed recently graduated, certified athletic trainers the opportunity to work full-time in a high-level Division I athletics program.

Jones started in the ticket office at Navy and was appointed to the athletic training staff in March of 1987 and has taken care of thousands of student athletes during her tenure.

Jones received her Bachelor of Science degree in sports science from the University of Michigan in 1983 and completed the athletic training curriculum at West Chester University that same year.  Jones received her Master of Science degree in sports administration from the University of North Dakota in 1986.