Dream All You Can Be

This story starts at the level prior to High School in Fort Bragg, Calif, where Dennis L. Jones grew up.  He played Basketball, Football and Baseball, he played Basketball and Baseball all four years of High School, two years of Football.

Dennis always wanted to play Basketball, he lived and breathed it, and like all other boys, wanted to play professionally, but had some injuries to the knee, and in early part of College, had to have surgery for two different knee problems, but continued to play Jr. College B-Ball.

It was a little tough in the early 1990's, but mom always tried to make light of it by saying, "its okay, it will get better, besides it builds character".  He wasn't to keen on the sayings, but always yielded to it!  He played hard at Jr. College, graduated, and got a Scholarship for Basketball to Holy Names Univerity in Oakland Hills, CA. in 1995, a Catholic College, he wasn't Catholic, but it certainly didn't do him any harm to have it around him.

He played Basketball at Holy Names until he graduated in 1998, met his wife to be there, and went on to Coach Women's B-Ball for seven years from 1998 to 2004, with playoffs in Iowa for each and every year.  He wanted to move on to a different level, but each time he tried, the President of the college would negociate him in to staying.

Dennis switched over to Men's Basketball in 2005 to the present time 2008!  Dennis takes the time to travel to different schools to scout and recruit when necessary for his team.  He talks with the players, is open to their problems, he has a very comfortable way with them, and pretty much any age of any person.  The players have alot of respect for him, Dennis has a way of making people feel relaxed around him, he has a great sense of humor and will go out of his way to help them, to make sure the students succeed in all they strive for.

Dennis recently recruited a boy from Fort Bragg where he grew up, and now this boy is playing for him at Holy Names.  Dennis' team has beat out the best of colleges, even the ones out of his Division.  He loves his job, which is important, since he cannot play anymore, because of the knee's, but he still manages to move around on the sidelines as a Coach pretty good!

Dennis now directs his team to be at practice early A.M. at 5:30, and when they make comments about getting up early, he now finds himself saying, "well it is good for you, it builds character!" 

I found it necessary to write about Dennis, because he is my son, and I am glad and blessed to have him, he is a good friend, son, brother and father of two girls, of which the older one, who is 8yrs., has had a Basketball in her hands since she was in a car seat, with a picture from that at age 2yrs, that says simply, "Future girls B-Ball Player 2018!"

I know that the men and women who have played for him, and play for him now, learn so much about the game and life from him, they respect him as a Coach and individual.  I see it when I am there for the games and outside of the gym.  Dennis creates a learning atmosphere for his team, family and everyone around him.  He is finishing up his Masters Degree at HNU.  So glad that he is touching the lives he is around, and glad he is in ours, he is a true blessing!

Related Stories

If you enjoyed reading this story, Dream All You Can Be, then you might enjoy these other stories.

• Big on Basketball
• Musical Wagners Play It From the Heart
• Playing for the Cure
• The Family That Plays Together
• High School's Winningest Team

Share This Story With Others:


 

Discuss this Article

more stories

• All Shared Hometown Hero Stories
• Most Popular Hometown Hero Stories
• Most Recent Hometown Hero Stories

helpful links

• Share Your Stories
• Hometown Hero Home
• American Profile Home