After high school, he continued his involvement with athletics as a boxer and kick boxer. His boxing career took him all the way from amateur events in Trimble Township to professional events in the spotlight of Madison Square Garden and on ABC TV’s Wide World of Sports. He is a sixth-level black belt in the Bando system and a former three time United States Heavyweight Bando-Kick boxing champion.
He has been involved with coaching in various sports for over 40 years. His coaching career began in the Trimble Township Youth League and eventually led to coaching the United States Professional Kick boxing team in a match against their counterparts from the Soviet Union. He continues to coach today, and boxers and kick boxers from Sam’s Gym in Glouster, Ohio are frequently featured on fight cards in the casinos of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, as well as in international competition.
In recognition of his achievements as a boxer and a coach, tonight’s honoree was the first person selected for induction into the National Bando-Kick boxing Hall of Fame.
Although he is both nationally and internationally well known for his achievements in the martial arts, tonight’s honoree is best known throughout southeastern Ohio for his involvement with young people, and his commitment to community service.
He and his wife are the originators of the Southeastern Ohio Golden Gloves Boxing Tournaments and have organized numerous boxing and kick boxing exhibitions to raise funds for local school and community projects.
For many years, he has served as the head coach and technical advisor for “Friday Night at the Fights” sponsored by the Ohio University Sports Administration program.
Our honoree is a charter member of the Trimble Local Textbook and Supplies Foundation and has been inducted into both the Trimble Local Schools Wall of Fame, and the athletic Hall of Fame.
He has been formally recognized by the Ohio legislature and by the governors of both Ohio and West Virginia for his community service, exemplary lifestyle, outstanding leadership abilities, and contributions to the sport of boxing.
On behalf of the Trimble Alumni Football Players Association, we are proud to present the Tomcat Excellence Award for 2006 to Sam Jones.
Accompanying Sam this evening are his wife Ellen; daughter, Kim; granddaughter, Courtney; and step-father, Ralph Shaw.
Presenting the award on behalf of the Alumni Football Players Association is Trimble Alumni football player, Darrell Dugan.
On behalf of the Alumni football Players and the citizens of Trimble Township, we would like to express our appreciation to Mr. Sam Jones for the many positive contributions that he has made to our communities.