Per The University of Washington Press Release…..
December 09, 2018
SEATTLE – Former University of Washington football standout and current athletic department Academic Coordinator, Rod Jones, passed away Saturday, Dec. 8. Jones was 54.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rod Jones,” said UW Director of Athletics, Jennifer Cohen. “Rod has been an integral part of the Husky family dating back to his playing days at the UW and now through his service of our student-athletes as a member of our academic support staff. Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to Rod’s family as they mourn this devastating loss.”
Jones, who served within the athletic department as an Academic Coordinator for nearly two decades, starred for the Huskies from 1984-86. He was a member of the 1984 Washington squad that finished the season with a record of 11-1 and defeated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. The 1984 team was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 2016. Jones would go on to play three years in the National Football League, spending time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.
“The University of Washington football family lost one of its own Saturday,” said Head Football Coach, Chris Petersen. “Rod was a committed Husky and we are deeply saddened by his tragic passing. He will be missed sorely by our student-athletes, our coaches and staff, and the impact he left on our program will never be forgotten.”
Jones, a native of Richmond, Calif., earned his degree in Ethnic Studies from the UW in 2000. In his role as Academic Coordinator, he worked primarily with the football and men’s soccer programs.
Service arrangements are pending and more updates will be made as they become available.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rod Jones,” said UW Director of Athletics, Jennifer Cohen. “Rod has been an integral part of the Husky family dating back to his playing days at the UW and now through his service of our student-athletes as a member of our academic support staff. Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to Rod’s family as they mourn this devastating loss.”
Jones, who served within the athletic department as an Academic Coordinator for nearly two decades, starred for the Huskies from 1984-86. He was a member of the 1984 Washington squad that finished the season with a record of 11-1 and defeated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. The 1984 team was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 2016. Jones would go on to play three years in the National Football League, spending time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.
“The University of Washington football family lost one of its own Saturday,” said Head Football Coach, Chris Petersen. “Rod was a committed Husky and we are deeply saddened by his tragic passing. He will be missed sorely by our student-athletes, our coaches and staff, and the impact he left on our program will never be forgotten.”
Jones, a native of Richmond, Calif., earned his degree in Ethnic Studies from the UW in 2000. In his role as Academic Coordinator, he worked primarily with the football and men’s soccer programs.
Service arrangements are pending and more updates will be made as they become available.
