Shawn Jones Named New AD at Henderson State

ARKADELPHIA, ARK. – Henderson State President Glen Jones introduced Shawn Jones as the university’s new director of athletics beginning in January. The announcement was made at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Jones comes to Henderson from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo., where he has served 13 years in the athletics department. Most recently, Jones served as the senior associate athletic director for external operations.

“I am pleased to welcome Shawn, Melissa and their children to the Henderson family,” said President Jones. “Shawn is a recognized leader whose commitment to the development and success of student athletes, varied leadership experiences and character, will serve the university well immediately and in the future.”

Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from the University of Central Missouri in 1997 and a master’s degree in physical education/exercise and sport science with a specialization in athletic and sports business administration in 2011.

At Central Missouri, Jones was responsible for management and oversight of athletic external operations including the athletic annual fund, trademark licensing program, and corporate sponsorships. He also directed marketing and promotions, media, public relations, broadcasting, and special events for the 17-sport NCAA Division II athletic department that is a member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

In addition to having significant leadership responsibilities at the University of Central Missouri, Jones has also garnered national recognition for his leadership which includes serving as the national chair of the NCAA Division II Football Committee in 2009 and 2010.

“I am honored and thrilled to be the director of athletics at Henderson State University,” said Jones. “I am grateful for the opportunity provided by President Jones and we will work hard every day to make our athletic department a point of pride for Reddies everywhere.”

Among his many university and civic activities, Jones is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators, the International Collegiate Licensing Association, and has served as a panelist at the NCAA Convention in 2009 and 2010.

Jones and his wife, Melissa, have a daughter, Lauren, and son, Hayden.

“Henderson State has a rich tradition of athletic excellence and we will build on that legacy through hard work and a resolve to be first-class in every endeavor,” Jones said. “Everything we do will revolve around giving our student-athletes the best experience possible at Henderson State, while providing our alumni, fans and the community with teams to be proud of. My family and I look forward to making Arkadelphia our home.”

Here is Shawn Jones’ Bio from Central Missouri:

He was originally hired by his alma mater in 2000 as Manager of Athletic Marketing/Broadcasting. From 2003 to 2005, he served as the Assistant A.D. for Marketing and Broadcasting. Jones spent six years as Associate Athletic Director for External Operations and was elevated to his current position in 2011.

As the Voice of UCM Athletics, he serves as the lead play-by-play announcer for Central Missouri Athletics on radio, and as the host and coordinating producer of UCM’s weekly one-hour television show, Central Missouri Sportspage. He also emcees and coordinates special events in addition to other administrative duties. During his time at UCM, Jones has served on the committees that have brought seven current head coaches and several full-time staff members to campus.

A member of the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Directors, Jones launched and now oversees UCM’s highly successful corporate sponsor program.  He has played a major role in the success of UCM’s biggest fund raising event, the Celebrating Central Missouri Athletic Auction. That event has raised over $1.4 million in net profits for UCM Athletics in its 12-year history. UCM’s efforts in promotions have been recognized by the NCAA News, NACMA and the NCAA Division II Community Engagement Initiative. In 2012, UCM was honored as both the NCAA Division II and MIAA Game Environment Award winner for promotional and community engagement efforts surrounding the football home opener. Jones also holds membership in the International Collegiate Licensing Association, nearly doubling licensing royalty revenues for UCM since taking over the program in 2011.

2012 was a big year for his External Relations team. The department launched its first dot com website, UCMAthletics.com, creating a modern web presence and a new revenue generation vehicle. Additionally, new video scoreboards were added to Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field and the Multipurpose Building, providing a high-level fan and student-athlete experience in the venues. The addition of the new boards also allowed Jones and his team the vehicle to secure the largest corporate sponsorships in department history. His team also worked with faculty and students from the Department of Communication & Sociology to launch and coordinate video webcasts of many UCM sporting events through the UCM Media Network. This group, along with staff from KMOS-TV, were awarded the 2012-2013 AVCA Grant Burger Media Award in the Broadcast Category for excellence in advancement of coverage of volleyball.

Jones served a four year term on the NCAA Division II Football Committee, as the co-chair of Super Regional Four. He was twice elected to serve as National Chair, serving in that role from Sept. 1, 2009 to Sept. 1, 2011, the longest allowable tenure under NCAA regulations. Jones was one of the youngest chairs in NCAA Division II football history. In January of 2009, Jones served as a featured panelist at the NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C., speaking on the topic of Building Relationships and Telling Stories: Engaging the Local Media. In January of 2010, in Atlanta, Georgia, Jones once again served as a panelist at the NCAA Convention, speaking on the topic of Fans: How to Find and Keep Them.

Prior to his time at UCM, Jones worked for ESPN Regional in the University of Kansas Athletics Department. He served on the broadcast team for Jayhawk Baseball with the legendary Tom Hedrick and as the host of the Marian Washington Show on KLWN radio in Lawrence. As an Account Executive for ESPN Regional, he sold sponsorships for KU Athletics on the Jayhawk Radio and Television Networks. Jones also provided radio play-by-play for UMKC women’s basketball during the 1999 season.

In 1998, Jones was Business Development Manager for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, where he created new revenue streams for the 20,000 member organization.

While a student, the Moberly, Mo., native worked at KOKO Radio in Warrensburg as assistant sports director covering Warrensburg High School and UCM sports. He also worked as a student assistant in the sports information office.

Jones holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UCM, earning his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from UCM in 1997. He also earned his master’s degree in Physical Education/Exercise and Sport Science with specialization in Athletic and Sport Business Administration from UCM.