Bill and Sandra Stone, Mark Jones to Receive Jimmy Bryan Award - Jacksonville State University Athletics

Jacksonville State announced on Tuesday that Bill and Sandra Stone and Mark Jones have been selected as this year's recipients of the Jimmy Bryan Award, which will be presented the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday.

The Jimmy Bryan Award is selected by members of the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and honors individuals for their contributions and years of dedication to the success of Jacksonville State University Athletics and is named for the longtime Birmingham News sports writer.

Both Bill and Sandra have been very active supporters of JSU Athletics. Mr. Stone, a former Delta Chi fraternity, is a J-Club Life Member, a member of the Gamecock Club, a former Gamecock Club Board Member and currently on the JSU Foundation Board. Mr. Stone was named JSU Alumnus of the Year in 1995. Mrs. Stone was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, a member of the Gamecock Club and has previously served on the Center for Economic and Professional Studies Board of Visitors.

Bill Stone and Sandra McCurdy were childhood sweethearts and went to school together here in Jacksonville. Bill's father, Dr. Ernest Stone, served as President at JSU from 1971 until his retirement in 1981. His mother, Mrs. Kitty Stone, was the principal at Jacksonville Elementary School for many years, and the school bears her name today.

Bill and Sandra were married while both were attending JSU. Bill played football for JSU from 1965-68 under Coach Jim Blevens, and was a member of two Alabama Collegiate Conference Championship teams. Mr. Stone was commissioned in the United States Army after he graduated from Jacksonville State University.

Mr. Stone served his country in Vietnam and was stationed in Germany, where he was decorated for saving others in a burning building. He earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and returned as JSU's ROTC Professor of Military Science, where he commissioned 50 lieutenants for the US Army.

Mrs. Stone has three degrees from JSU, including two master's degree. She taught for JSU in the College of Education, before her retirement from the University.

Mark Jones has almost 40 years of association with Jacksonville State University, enrolling as a first-time freshman in 1978. He worked as a student assistant with men's basketball during his time at JSU, and was hired as the first full-time Director of Recreational Sports at his alma mater.

The program grew from a one person staff working out of an old janitor's closet to a staff of five full time employees and overseeing several recreational and sports facilities on campus. He also taught an Officiating Sports class for more than 28 years, and some of his officials advanced to work in several NCAA Division I basketball conferences and the NBA, as well as numerous AHSAA State Championship games in football and basketball.

Jones has been a long supporter of JSU Athletics, serving as the clock operator for more than 15 years for basketball. He is a life member of the JSU Alumni Association, where is a former treasurer, a founding member of the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors, servicing as Vice President and Treasurer.

In addition, Jones served more than 10 years as the Judicial Coordinator at the University, and served eight years on the City Council for the City of Jacksonville, where he was City Council President during his last term.

Jones was named the Director of Officials for the Alabama High School Athletic Association last summer, where he oversees all of the officiating programs for the State of Alabama.

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