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Illini Take a Look Back at 2005
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Former Illini coach Richard "Itch" Jones was honored at the Illinois basketball game on Jan. 28.
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Jan. 30, 2006
Before opening its 2006 season, Illinois Baseball spent last Saturday celebrating its accomplishments in 2005 one last time. The two key things on that list were honoring the Big Ten champion team and recognizing Hall of Fame coach Richard "Itch" Jones, who retired after leading the Illini to the conference title and earning Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.
The day began as nearly 200 people reminisced with and congratulated Jones during a retirement reception in his honor held at the Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building. While many of the 2005 squad were in attendance, a large number of Illinois' 1998 Big Ten champion squad also came to honor Jones, as did multiple former players, coaches and friends from Southern Illinois University.
A short program began with remarks by Larry Calufetti and Dan Radison, two members of Jones' first College World Series team, the 1971 squad that finished second in the country that season. Former Illini Aaron Nieckula then spoke on behalf of Jones' Illinois players and Illinois Director of Athletics Ron Guenther thanked Jones for his years of loyalty and congratulated him on a stellar career.
Those in attendance then enjoyed a video presentation of Jones' career, including photos from his days at Herrin High School, as a player at SIU, then as a coach at MacMurray College, SIU and Illinois. The video also incorporated photos of Jones as a young boy and a number of family photos, recognizing his success as a husband and father.
After the reception, the party moved across Fourth Street, where the 2005 team was honored during a timeout of the Illinois vs. Purdue basketball game. The squad received their championship rings and walked onto the court where they received a loud ovation from the capacity crowd.
A few minutes later, Jones was honored at halftime as a few clips from the video presentation were played on the Assembly Hall video board before he was presented with a game ball from his 1,200th win signed by the 2005 team. Jones waved to the crowd as he received a standing ovation in recognition of his 15-year stint at Illinois and 39-year coaching career.
Richard "Itch" Jones Career Accomplishments
39 years head baseball coach
1,240-751-6 career record
Two-time USA Baseball coach
3 College World Series appearances
9 NCAA Regional appearances
10 conference championships
Has produced 20 Major League players
Has developed over 100 professional players
Member of American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame
Two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year
Five-time Missouri Valley Coach of the Year
Ranks 13th on NCAA all-time wins list
Sporting News (1978) and Adirondack (1971) Coach of the Year
Hall of Fame memberships
American Baseball Coaches Association
Southern Illinois University
MacMurray College
Illinois High School Association Baseball
Illinois High School Association Basketball
Jacksonville High School (as a coach)
Herrin High School (as a player)
