By Michaela Brown
Friday night under the lights, while the sun sets, there’s a man sitting on the bench spitting sunflower seeds into a cup. While the football players are warming up, he sits there every game. Some people know him as Jonesie, but his name is Mark Jones.
Mark Jones is everywhere, he’s at football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, he’s at every sport. Jones is from the graduating class of 1973 here at Redwood High School, in his years at Redwood he managed the athletic teams alongside Mrs. Bardonnex’s father who coached football at the time.
Jonesie was unable to play sports due to having rheumatoid arthritis in his hands, but that didn’t stop him from being a part of Redwood Athletics.
Michael Wright, Redwood Athletic director, has known Mark Jones for over 20 years. “He tells me that he’s the boss but he just doesn’t have the right credentials.” “So I guess he’s my boss and I just don’t know it” he says.
Jonesie has been supporting Redwood athletics since he was a kid and has never stopped. He has been a ball boy, team manager, and friend to most coaches and players. “When you think of our Superfan shirts, he is the example of Redwood’s Superfan” Wright says. Everyone knows Jonsie and he knows everyone.
Dr. Richard says “he is at every game”. Coach Chica has seen him at football and soccer. “Oh Jonsie… I love him!” he says. Jonsie has made a big impact on Redwood’s athletics even though he is not on the staff, “When you think of Redwood sports he is a fixture of Redwood sports” Wright says. He goes to home or away games, and he sits on the bench and always has seeds. “That guy can eat… everything… he’s a bottomless pit. Specifically free food” Wright says.
Coach Scharton is the head football coach. Scharton says “I remember Jonesie [since] I was a player here at Redwood in the mid 80’s when he was our ball boy. I have always had a relationship with Jonesie that dates back to the 80’s.” He might not have played sports here at Redwood but he definitely has impacted generation after generation. Mr. Paolinelli says “Jonesie is Redwood”
“He is Mr. Ranger, Redwood sports won’t be the same without him.. Without a doubt.” Wright says
Editor’s Note: Just to clear up any confusion, Jonesie is alive and well on the sidelines of all the games. Give him a knuckle bump and say “hey!”
Tags: Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, visalia ca
Love the shout out to longtime ranger super fan. Jonesie didn’t pass away did he? The quote at the end confused me a little.
Hey Matt, Thanks for reading my story! Jonesie is alive and well, I just wanted to get his story out there! In fact he was at my softball game recently!
Mark is from the class of 77
Class of ’77, not ’73. Great friend since the days at Ivanhoe. You da man, Mark!
Mark Jones is the true Ranger. I’ve known Mark since the early 70’s when I came to Redwood and played Football and Baseball. Mark was at every practice and game. I have continued to keep in contact with him and we have lunch with other Rangers periodically. Great Man!!
Mark is a great guy, always has been! Class of ’77 rules!
Mark Jones’ heart is bigger than his whole body. Mark has been the one constant at Redwood High since the mid-70’s. He has a special place on all Redwood teams but has always been an inspiration to those of us who played on the 1973 Valley Championship Football Team. There is a special place in Ranger Heaven for Mark. God Bless you Mark! Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger!