REINSTATEMENT OF COACH CURTIS JONES
Target:
LONGVIEW INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Sponsored by:
This petition has been created to assist in the ongoing efforts to reinstate Coach Curtis Jones, a 30-year employee of Longview Independent School District, who was abruptly removed from his position as head track coach at Longview High School.
Coach Jones has produced 58 state participants since 1989 (17 of those qualifiers since 2000). Not to mention that he coached the record holding boys 4x100 meter relay which still holds this record at Texas Relays. This record has remained unbroken for 20 years.
There is only one word to describes such a person - Proven. He has produced when other athletic departments did not. He lead the Lobos and kept our mighty alma mater in the light not in the dark. He delivered state champions when others failed to do so. So lets come together as one unit, a collective whole, to support a man that not only created champions but who also changed lives of the many athletes that walked the halls of Longview High School. Let your voice be heard and not silenced by signing the below petition to reinstate Coach Jones into his rightful and earned position as head track coach of the Lobo Track and Field Program. He has shown and proven that he can and will sustain a quality program.
This petition has been created to assist in the ongoing efforts to reinstate Coach Curtis Jones, a 30-year employee of Longview Independent School District, who was abruptly removed from his position as head track coach at Longview High School.
Coach Jones has produced 58 state participants since 1989 (17 of those qualifiers since 2000). Not to mention that he coached the record holding boys 4x100 meter relay which still holds this record at Texas Relays. This record has remained unbroken for 20 years.
There is only one word to describes such a person - Proven. He has produced when other athletic departments did not. He lead the Lobos and kept our mighty alma mater in the light not in the dark. He delivered state champions when others failed to do so. So lets come together as one unit, a collective whole, to support a man that not only created champions but who also changed lives of the many athletes that walked the halls of Longview High School. Let your voice be heard and not silenced by signing the below petition to reinstate Coach Jones into his rightful and earned position as head track coach of the Lobo Track and Field Program. He has shown and proven that he can and will sustain a quality program.
We signed the "REINSTATEMENT OF COACH CURTIS JONES" petition!
# 218:
11:00 am PDT, Jul 23,
Timothy Starling, California
# 217:
4:47 am PDT, Jul 22,
Nick Canida, Texas
# 216:
2:04 pm PDT, Jul 21,
Mike Canida, Texas
LONGVIEW NEWS-JOURNAL Saturday, July 18, 2009 To coach Curtis Jones, I would like to say thanks for the memories. Not just the great ones you and your teams provided on the track field, but those you have given to the lives of a lot of young people. The parents and friends of the program will always remember you were more than just an athletic coach; you coached young people to always give their best at any positive endeavor they undertook. The time you took to talk to troubled teens, about the problems in their lives will always be a Gold Medal Memory. The personal time you and coach Oscar Wilson spent during summer track, back in the day, kept a lot of troubled kids busy with something positive to do and someone to talk to. The fact the kids did not want to disappoint you by making the wrong life choices says how much of a difference you made in their lives away from the athletic spotlight. Anyone who knows anything about sports knows you cannot make a kid fast. You teach proper preparation mentally, physically, spiritually, mastery of the proper technique and to give maximum effort. This was shown in recent years, maybe not by qualifying for the state meets, but by the fact every Lobo always did the best they could and left the track proud. More kids will be encouraged by parents and other athletic departments to participate in track as another possibility, to keep all options open for continued education after high school. Hopefully, it will also bring back our track meet. Once again, thanks for the great memories and keep being the positive model citizen we have known for years. Mike Canida, Longview
LONGVIEW NEWS-JOURNAL Saturday, July 18, 2009 To coach Curtis Jones, I would like to say thanks for the memories. Not just the great ones you and your teams provided on the track field, but those you have given to the lives of a lot of young people. The parents and friends of the program will always remember you were more than just an athletic coach; you coached young people to always give their best at any positive endeavor they undertook. The time you took to talk to troubled teens, about the problems in their lives will always be a Gold Medal Memory. The personal time you and coach Oscar Wilson spent during summer track, back in the day, kept a lot of troubled kids busy with something positive to do and someone to talk to. The fact the kids did not want to disappoint you by making the wrong life choices says how much of a difference you made in their lives away from the athletic spotlight. Anyone who knows anything about sports knows you cannot make a kid fast. You teach proper preparation mentally, physically, spiritually, mastery of the proper technique and to give maximum effort. This was shown in recent years, maybe not by qualifying for the state meets, but by the fact every Lobo always did the best they could and left the track proud. More kids will be encouraged by parents and other athletic departments to participate in track as another possibility, to keep all options open for continued education after high school. Hopefully, it will also bring back our track meet. Once again, thanks for the great memories and keep being the positive model citizen we have known for years. Mike Canida, Longview
# 215:
3:51 pm PDT, Jul 20,
Johnny King, Texas
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 214:
8:17 pm PDT, Jul 18,
Ray Scott, Jrl, Texas
# 213:
7:40 pm PDT, Jul 18,
Darnell Lucas, Texas
# 212:
3:12 pm PDT, Jul 18,
Damian Scott, Texas
# 211:
9:14 am PDT, Jul 18,
Kevin Johnson, Texas
I have known coach Jones for over 25 years. He has proven to be a leader in the school district and th community. Mr. Jones has alway been respected as a man of good character and has embedded those same values in the lives of the young men and women that he has come in contact with. I will forever resonate the words of the Lobob motto, "Only the strong survive!". I ask that you the Lobob family strong by returning Coach Jones to the leadership role he has so proudly held with distinction, head track coach. Thank you for your time.
I have known coach Jones for over 25 years. He has proven to be a leader in the school district and th community. Mr. Jones has alway been respected as a man of good character and has embedded those same values in the lives of the young men and women that he has come in contact with. I will forever resonate the words of the Lobob motto, "Only the strong survive!". I ask that you the Lobob family strong by returning Coach Jones to the leadership role he has so proudly held with distinction, head track coach. Thank you for your time.
# 210:
9:53 am PDT, Jul 17,
CONNIE PORTER, Texas
# 209:
5:15 am PDT, Jul 17,
Kimberly Moore Boyd, Texas
# 208:
5:13 am PDT, Jul 17,
Kedric Boyd Sr., Texas
# 207:
3:10 pm PDT, Jul 16,
Joel Johnson, Florida
# 206:
10:00 am PDT, Jul 16,
Evelyn Johnson-Hines, Texas
# 205:
6:26 am PDT, Jul 16,
CHEVETTE HEAD, Texas
# 204:
6:25 am PDT, Jul 16,
Sharece Vance, Texas
# 203:
5:20 am PDT, Jul 16,
Erika Davis-Jackson, Texas
Our children need to have great quality and actual teacher that care. Coach Jones has been that for me and many others.
Our children need to have great quality and actual teacher that care. Coach Jones has been that for me and many others.
# 202:
7:55 pm PDT, Jul 15,
Brittany Henderson, Texas
# 201:
5:33 pm PDT, Jul 15,
WeVondala Frazier, Texas
# 200:
4:43 pm PDT, Jul 15,
LaMonica Bush-Birmingham, Texas
Coach Jones was one of the most caring coaches that I met a LHS. I am very sad to see that after all these years of loyalty, the athletic department will make such a horrible decision. Keep you head up Coach Jones! God will move things around for you!
Coach Jones was one of the most caring coaches that I met a LHS. I am very sad to see that after all these years of loyalty, the athletic department will make such a horrible decision. Keep you head up Coach Jones! God will move things around for you!
# 199:
3:32 pm PDT, Jul 15,
Name not displayed, Texas
# 198:
9:05 am PDT, Jul 15,
Sabrina Lang, Texas
# 197:
8:17 am PDT, Jul 15,
Courtney Heath, Oklahoma
# 196:
7:49 am PDT, Jul 15,
Paula McCloud, Texas
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 195:
7:45 am PDT, Jul 15,
Kysundra Hawkins, Texas
Coach Jones is not only a great coach but a caring and invovled teacher whom the students feel comfortable going to and getting useful and honest responses and advice without feeling judged.
Coach Jones is not only a great coach but a caring and invovled teacher whom the students feel comfortable going to and getting useful and honest responses and advice without feeling judged.
# 194:
7:39 am PDT, Jul 15,
Euriel Dudley, Texas
# 193:
7:22 am PDT, Jul 15,
Laconia Dudley-Dunn, Texas
I've watched coaches come and I've watched them go. But, Coach Curtis Jones has been a staple in the Lobo organization since the onset of his career. He has served as not only a coach, but as father, brother, mentor and friend to many of us. His outstanding ability to remained balanced between positions helped to develop not only athletes but leaders and loyal citizens. If for whatever reason this reinstatement is not honored, it will be the Lobo organization that would lose...for his duty, honor diligence, athleticism and disposition alone supercede what any title, organization or group could ever denote. I stand in the gap for an honorable reinstatement and title restoration for a man that not only served his school and organization, but the students, parents, and family members thereof.
I've watched coaches come and I've watched them go. But, Coach Curtis Jones has been a staple in the Lobo organization since the onset of his career. He has served as not only a coach, but as father, brother, mentor and friend to many of us. His outstanding ability to remained balanced between positions helped to develop not only athletes but leaders and loyal citizens. If for whatever reason this reinstatement is not honored, it will be the Lobo organization that would lose...for his duty, honor diligence, athleticism and disposition alone supercede what any title, organization or group could ever denote. I stand in the gap for an honorable reinstatement and title restoration for a man that not only served his school and organization, but the students, parents, and family members thereof.
# 192:
6:14 am PDT, Jul 15,
Ketrese White, Texas
# 191:
1:24 pm PDT, Jul 14,
Alphonso Garrett, Texas
# 190:
11:21 am PDT, Jul 14,
LaHeather Wilson, Texas
# 189:
10:22 am PDT, Jul 14,
CHRYSTL SMITH ARDOIN, Texas
# 188:
8:47 am PDT, Jul 14,
Yazman Sheridan, Texas
# 187:
8:24 am PDT, Jul 14,
Nakia Lynch, Texas
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 186:
7:41 am PDT, Jul 14,
Chris Smith-Butcher, Texas
While I have heard nothing but good things about Chris Clay....the incoming coach and former track student athlete from my Alumni friends at UT....I hate to see a coach with a successful record of on and off the field success let go when it seems that the football team does not demand that the skill athletes run track as was the case around 1995. It seems odd that the football team can go far into the playoffs.....and that talent not transfer to track participation at a school such as LHS. Coach Jones helped me to understand how not to be a "yes man" all the time when you want answers and insight into a situation...to be heard clearly and progress forward in society. While this approach is not always well received...it has helped me GREATLY in the business world and earned me respect and trust as a diligent, persistent, decisive, yet smart professional. It is my hope that CJ be reinstated or reassigned to a position which allows him to do what he has done successfully for some 28 years...while at the same time giving what seems to be another promising young coach (as was CJ at some point) an opportunity to leverage CJ's wisdom toward his own future 28+ years of success. Chris
While I have heard nothing but good things about Chris Clay....the incoming coach and former track student athlete from my Alumni friends at UT....I hate to see a coach with a successful record of on and off the field success let go when it seems that the football team does not demand that the skill athletes run track as was the case around 1995. It seems odd that the football team can go far into the playoffs.....and that talent not transfer to track participation at a school such as LHS. Coach Jones helped me to understand how not to be a "yes man" all the time when you want answers and insight into a situation...to be heard clearly and progress forward in society. While this approach is not always well received...it has helped me GREATLY in the business world and earned me respect and trust as a diligent, persistent, decisive, yet smart professional. It is my hope that CJ be reinstated or reassigned to a position which allows him to do what he has done successfully for some 28 years...while at the same time giving what seems to be another promising young coach (as was CJ at some point) an opportunity to leverage CJ's wisdom toward his own future 28+ years of success. Chris
# 185:
5:50 am PDT, Jul 14,
Denese Toliver, Texas
# 184:
9:23 pm PDT, Jul 13,
Coco Bisor Perkins, Texas
# 183:
1:34 pm PDT, Jul 13,
Name not displayed, Texas
# 182:
9:38 am PDT, Jul 13,
Terrance Avila, Texas
# 181:
5:32 am PDT, Jul 13,
Tiffany Davis Croone, Texas
# 180:
11:09 pm PDT, Jul 12,
Gloria Woods, Texas
# 179:
3:23 pm PDT, Jul 12,
Kim Wilson, Texas
# 178:
7:04 am PDT, Jul 12,
Kathy Skolnick Loy, Texas
Curtis Jones was my daughter's 9th grade history teacher. He had a huge impact on her as well as many of her classmates. He was a remarkable person who related to the needs and learning styles of those incredibly complicated 9th graders. It would be a shame to not allow this man to continue his good work, not only in the classroom, but on the field as well.
Curtis Jones was my daughter's 9th grade history teacher. He had a huge impact on her as well as many of her classmates. He was a remarkable person who related to the needs and learning styles of those incredibly complicated 9th graders. It would be a shame to not allow this man to continue his good work, not only in the classroom, but on the field as well.
# 177:
5:15 am PDT, Jul 12,
LaSaunda Wall-Harris, Texas
# 176:
11:27 am PDT, Jul 11,
Brion Ware, Texas
# 175:
8:11 am PDT, Jul 11,
Cameron Thompson, Texas
# 174:
8:10 am PDT, Jul 11,
Calvin Jackson, Nevada
With all due respect to the LISD school board officials and LISD faculty, I must say that I was very disappointed to hear that one of the faithful outstanding LOBO leaders would be considered for demotion. Coach Jones not only gives his all to his athletes but his students as well. His words of "Student athlete" and a great deal of other teachings he shared with me still resignate loud and true today. This unjustified move by LISD will not only have a negative effect at Longview High but in the Longview Community as well. The Title of Head Track Coach falls short of describing what Mr. Curtis Jones has been to a lot of us. The lives of many individuals he has touched refer to him as Mentor, Humanitarian and Dad. These are the qualities that we need in a person that holds a position like Head Track Coach and Teacher. Not just someone with a bunch of I love me accolades to hang on the wall of their office. Mr. Jones should not only be reinstated, but reinstated with an employment guarantee and apology from the LISD.
With all due respect to the LISD school board officials and LISD faculty, I must say that I was very disappointed to hear that one of the faithful outstanding LOBO leaders would be considered for demotion. Coach Jones not only gives his all to his athletes but his students as well. His words of "Student athlete" and a great deal of other teachings he shared with me still resignate loud and true today. This unjustified move by LISD will not only have a negative effect at Longview High but in the Longview Community as well. The Title of Head Track Coach falls short of describing what Mr. Curtis Jones has been to a lot of us. The lives of many individuals he has touched refer to him as Mentor, Humanitarian and Dad. These are the qualities that we need in a person that holds a position like Head Track Coach and Teacher. Not just someone with a bunch of I love me accolades to hang on the wall of their office. Mr. Jones should not only be reinstated, but reinstated with an employment guarantee and apology from the LISD.
# 173:
7:55 am PDT, Jul 11,
Cammie Britain, Texas
# 172:
11:21 am PDT, Jul 10,
Shana Wright, Texas
# 171:
10:46 am PDT, Jul 10,
CHARLES JACKSON, Texas
THIS IS GREAT MAN AND GOOD COACH IF IT WASNT FOR HIM GIVING ME CHANCE AFTER CHANCE I WOULDNT BE THE GREAT ATHELETE IAM.IF WE HAD MORE COACHES LIKE HIM WHO GIVE KIDS A CHANCE TO DO SUMTHIN PRODUCTIVE WE WOULDNT BE LOOSING THEM TO STREETS AND DRUGS AND JAILS...BECAUSE C.J WOULD HAVE THEM ON THE TRACK RUNNING RUNNING RUNNING
THIS IS GREAT MAN AND GOOD COACH IF IT WASNT FOR HIM GIVING ME CHANCE AFTER CHANCE I WOULDNT BE THE GREAT ATHELETE IAM.IF WE HAD MORE COACHES LIKE HIM WHO GIVE KIDS A CHANCE TO DO SUMTHIN PRODUCTIVE WE WOULDNT BE LOOSING THEM TO STREETS AND DRUGS AND JAILS...BECAUSE C.J WOULD HAVE THEM ON THE TRACK RUNNING RUNNING RUNNING
# 170:
10:11 am PDT, Jul 10,
Sonya Lee-Jones, Texas
# 169:
10:03 am PDT, Jul 10,
Antonio Jones, Texas
# 168:
9:59 am PDT, Jul 10,
SEMETRICE COX, Texas
# 167:
7:44 am PDT, Jul 10,
Venoria Thomas, Texas
# 166:
7:41 am PDT, Jul 10,
Lola Thompson, Texas
# 165:
4:37 am PDT, Jul 10,
Name not displayed, Texas
# 164:
4:49 pm PDT, Jul 9,
LaBrucia Pippins, Texas
# 163:
4:41 pm PDT, Jul 9,
LaMedka Pippins, Texas
# 162:
3:39 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Jeffrey Weatherspoon, Texas
I was a soccer player for four years at LHS. For my last two years, Coach Jones convinced me to run with the cross country team. Those were some of the most enjoyable days I had in high school, not only because I had fun running with the team, but also because I had the privelege to run for Coach Jones. It would be a shame for such a hard-working and dedicated individual to lose his position at the high school. God knows that there are only a handful of good employees left working there. Why diminish that number any more?
I was a soccer player for four years at LHS. For my last two years, Coach Jones convinced me to run with the cross country team. Those were some of the most enjoyable days I had in high school, not only because I had fun running with the team, but also because I had the privelege to run for Coach Jones. It would be a shame for such a hard-working and dedicated individual to lose his position at the high school. God knows that there are only a handful of good employees left working there. Why diminish that number any more?
# 161:
2:04 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Rachel Wilborn-Terrell, Texas
# 160:
2:03 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Kourtney Hensley, Texas
# 159:
1:59 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Tameshia Arthur, Texas
COACH JONES IS A GREAT COACH AND A WONDERFUL PERSON NOT ONLY HAS HE ENCOURAGED ME IN SPORTS BUT HE HAS GIVEN THE ME COURAGE IN LIFE ITSELF...ONE OF THE FEW GOOD COACHES LEFT WHO BE WILLIN TO BE UNDERSTANDING TO CIRCUMSTANCES AND WILL WORK WITH YOU SO U CAN PARTICIPATE IN A GREAT SEASON...HE HAS SO MUCH EXPERIENCE AND LOVE FOR THE SPORT AND WITH A HEART LIKE HIS IT CAN MAKE A TEAM GO FAR...HE HAS PERSONALLY TAUGHT ME TO STAY FOCUS AND BECOME SOMETHING IN LIFE AND THE SAME LOVE I HAVE FOR TRACK I SHOULD HAVE FOR LIFE AND I WILL GO FAR...NOBODY CAN REPLACE THIS MAN NOT EVEN CLOSE...
COACH JONES IS A GREAT COACH AND A WONDERFUL PERSON NOT ONLY HAS HE ENCOURAGED ME IN SPORTS BUT HE HAS GIVEN THE ME COURAGE IN LIFE ITSELF...ONE OF THE FEW GOOD COACHES LEFT WHO BE WILLIN TO BE UNDERSTANDING TO CIRCUMSTANCES AND WILL WORK WITH YOU SO U CAN PARTICIPATE IN A GREAT SEASON...HE HAS SO MUCH EXPERIENCE AND LOVE FOR THE SPORT AND WITH A HEART LIKE HIS IT CAN MAKE A TEAM GO FAR...HE HAS PERSONALLY TAUGHT ME TO STAY FOCUS AND BECOME SOMETHING IN LIFE AND THE SAME LOVE I HAVE FOR TRACK I SHOULD HAVE FOR LIFE AND I WILL GO FAR...NOBODY CAN REPLACE THIS MAN NOT EVEN CLOSE...
# 158:
1:44 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Roxann Ellis, Texas
Coach Jones....CJ...has helped me throughout my life. Not only during my high school years, but even now when I see him around town. Coach Jones is a motivator, a mentor, a father-figure, a friend, a teacher, there really aren't enough words to discribe him. He encouraged me to do my best at all things, and I wasnt even on the track team. I didnt have a father in my life, and although he doesnt know this, he was a father-figure to me. He has always been honest, kind, and willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed. I feel it would put the upcoming students at LHS at a disadvantage to loose such a wonderful person on the staff.
Coach Jones....CJ...has helped me throughout my life. Not only during my high school years, but even now when I see him around town. Coach Jones is a motivator, a mentor, a father-figure, a friend, a teacher, there really aren't enough words to discribe him. He encouraged me to do my best at all things, and I wasnt even on the track team. I didnt have a father in my life, and although he doesnt know this, he was a father-figure to me. He has always been honest, kind, and willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed. I feel it would put the upcoming students at LHS at a disadvantage to loose such a wonderful person on the staff.
# 157:
1:35 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Shannon Allison-Jones, Texas
# 156:
1:27 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Deshawn Brown, Texas
# 155:
12:51 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Selwyn Tatum, Texas
# 154:
12:49 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Chastity Reese, Texas
# 153:
12:38 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Glennda Spratling, Texas
# 152:
12:38 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Megan Owen, Texas
# 151:
12:33 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Natalie Owen, Texas
