Gem City Sports Network

Sinclair’s Coach Jones accepts Athletic Director Position in Euclid, OH

Dayton, OH – This week, Victoria Jones announced her resignation as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach and Sinclair’s Prison Program Site Supervisor at the Dayton Correctional Institution for Women.  She has accepted the position of Athletic Director for the Euclid City School District just outside of Cleveland, Ohio.

Coach Jones has had an impact on the women’s basketball program since 2015.  Garnering a piece of the OCCAC regular season conference championship this year, the team also took down long time OCCAC powerhouse Owens Community College with a convincing win of 67 – 59.  Owens entered the game ranked 8^th in the nation and had won 54 straight conference games until losing to the Lady Pride.

Completing a magical year that included the 2017-18 OCCAC Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year award, Coach Jones’ name is cemented in the Sinclair women’s record books and is at the top of almost every category.  In the last two seasons, her teams won 50 games, the best two year total in school history, and only the second time a Sinclair women’s basketball team has recorded back-to-back 20 win seasons.

Coach Jones was equally as strong in guiding her student-athletes in the classroom.  The former JUCO star and University of Dayton standout understood the demands of a student-athlete and mentored her players to be as competitive in the classroom as they were on the court.  Coach Jones was also active in her hometown community and her players were involved in numerous service learning projects.

“Coach Victoria Jones is a valued colleague who has been an excellent mentor for Sinclair’s student-athletes and incarcerated students at Dayton Correctional Institution.  For the last 3+ years she has dedicated her life to making a real difference by setting high expectations for herself and those around her.  She works tirelessly to ensure her students get the most of their education.  Coach Jones views organized athletics as a means to develop students into good citizens through teamwork, self-discipline, accountability, and good sportsmanship.  Although I will Miss Coach Jones, I am excited for the opportunity she will have at Euclid City Schools to make a real difference in the lives of the students she serves,” said Dave Collins, Sinclair’s Provost.

Her canvas was not only contained to athletics, she had a meaningful impact on the dozens of individuals at the Dayton Correctional Institution.  “Victoria Jones has made an impact in her short time at Sinclair Community College.    During her tenure at Dayton Correctional Institution, she had a record 97% student completion rate.  While that number is impressive, what it means is even more impressive.  She took the time to get to know our students.  She cared about them.  She showed them value.  She showed them that they had worth.  Many of our students have failed over and over in their lives and yet they succeeded because Victoria Jones saw them and not their crime.  Each one of our students knew that she was there for them.  She rejoiced when they rejoiced, she was sorrowful when they suffered losses from home, she encouraged them when they were discouraged, and she pushed each one of them to become the women they were meant to be before making the choices that led them to prison.  She was determined that each student would leave our college classrooms better prepared to face the many challenges that life would throw at them upon release.  Thank you Victoria Jones for speaking into the lives of our students.  You truly have made a difference in so many lives and I wish you continued success, happiness, and fulfillment as you go forth serving the students at Euclid!,” stated Cheryl Taylor, DCI Sinclair Program Director.

“To say we will miss Coach Jones would be a grand understatement as she has made a lasting impact on her student-athletes and the Sinclair community at large.  It has been an honor to work with her and we all wish her well as she continues to lead and mentor,” said Sinclair’s Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Jeff Price.