Eastern Michigan Athletics
Jason Jones Commits $150,000 to EMU Athletics
3/30/2017 3:00:00 PM | Football, General, Eastern Athletic Fund
It is the third largest cash pledge from a football alumnus in the history of EMU
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — A $150,000 gift to the Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics will support the Championship Building Plan, an innovative community engagement program, as well as impact the University's more than 500 student-athletes with facility enhancements. The gift, from Champions Advisory Board member and NFL defensive end Jason Jones, is the third largest cash pledge ever received from an EMU football alumnus.
Jones attended Eastern Michigan University from 2004-07. He was a football student-athlete who began his career as a tight end (2004) before moving to the defensive line (2005). Jones completed his four-year EMU career with an outstanding senior season (2007) when he led the Mid-American Conference in tackles-for-loss with 1.63 per game en route to being named First Team All-MAC.
Jones was selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, as the 54th overall player. His professional career has included defensive line play for the Titans (2008-2011), Seattle Seahawks (2012), Detroit Lions (2013-15), and Miami Dolphins (2016). During his NFL career, Jones has recorded 212 tackles, 31.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and 26 pass deflections.
"I want to see the football program continue to grow and progress toward a winning mentality," said Jones. "By providing EMU student-athletes with the facility enhancements in the Championship Building Plan it will greatly impact their ability to reach their potential both on and off the field."
EMU has developed a comprehensive and transformative vision to enhance academic opportunities, improve health and well-being for all students, and update athletic facilities to positively impact the University. The intercollegiate athletics component to enhance facilities, titled the Championship Building Plan, will consolidate department infrastructure, create academic opportunities, and strengthen student, fan, community, and alumni experiences.
As permanent recognition of Jones' generosity, the defensive line team meeting room and defensive line coaches office within the Power2Change Center will be named in his honor. The vision will help unite nearly all of EMU Athletics on the University's West Campus with upgrades planned for training, practice, and competition for student-athletes. The project would be the first major athletics facility enhancement designed to enrich nearly every one of EMU's 21 varsity teams since the Convocation Center was completed in 1998.
"Having Jason involved with the Championship Building Plan has been tremendous," said EMU Interim Director of Athletic Christian Spears. "Jason has the unique prospective of having played here at EMU. He then was drafted into the NFL and continues to play at the highest level in the National Football League. Jason knows what it takes to make it - on and off the field and he knows that the Power2Change Center will be helping others achieve their dreams and goals. His commitment runs deep here and we are grateful to him for his gift to this project."
The Championship Building Plan is pending approval by the EMU Board of Regents. Further details and renderings will continue to be made public as they become available.
Jones attended Eastern Michigan University from 2004-07. He was a football student-athlete who began his career as a tight end (2004) before moving to the defensive line (2005). Jones completed his four-year EMU career with an outstanding senior season (2007) when he led the Mid-American Conference in tackles-for-loss with 1.63 per game en route to being named First Team All-MAC.
Jones was selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, as the 54th overall player. His professional career has included defensive line play for the Titans (2008-2011), Seattle Seahawks (2012), Detroit Lions (2013-15), and Miami Dolphins (2016). During his NFL career, Jones has recorded 212 tackles, 31.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and 26 pass deflections.
"I want to see the football program continue to grow and progress toward a winning mentality," said Jones. "By providing EMU student-athletes with the facility enhancements in the Championship Building Plan it will greatly impact their ability to reach their potential both on and off the field."
EMU has developed a comprehensive and transformative vision to enhance academic opportunities, improve health and well-being for all students, and update athletic facilities to positively impact the University. The intercollegiate athletics component to enhance facilities, titled the Championship Building Plan, will consolidate department infrastructure, create academic opportunities, and strengthen student, fan, community, and alumni experiences.
As permanent recognition of Jones' generosity, the defensive line team meeting room and defensive line coaches office within the Power2Change Center will be named in his honor. The vision will help unite nearly all of EMU Athletics on the University's West Campus with upgrades planned for training, practice, and competition for student-athletes. The project would be the first major athletics facility enhancement designed to enrich nearly every one of EMU's 21 varsity teams since the Convocation Center was completed in 1998.
"Having Jason involved with the Championship Building Plan has been tremendous," said EMU Interim Director of Athletic Christian Spears. "Jason has the unique prospective of having played here at EMU. He then was drafted into the NFL and continues to play at the highest level in the National Football League. Jason knows what it takes to make it - on and off the field and he knows that the Power2Change Center will be helping others achieve their dreams and goals. His commitment runs deep here and we are grateful to him for his gift to this project."
The Championship Building Plan is pending approval by the EMU Board of Regents. Further details and renderings will continue to be made public as they become available.
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