Looking back over a long and varied career, it’s obvious Ron Jones loves sport.

“I just believe in sport,” he said. “Brings out the best in people and/or makes them better people.”

Ron is living proof of that himself and not many have contributed and invested more in BC sport than he has.

Raised in Vancouver, Ron played baseball and lacrosse growing up and began coaching youth teams by his late teens. One athlete he coached later in Maple Ridge was a young Larry Walker.

Beginning in 1976, Ron served on the BC Lions board of directors for a decade working closely with friends Bob Ackles, Jack Farley, and Norm Fieldgate to build one of the great eras in Lions history. Highlights included building a new practice facility in Whalley, moving into BC Place Stadium, and winning the 1985 Grey Cup. Ron served as Lions president from 1983-85 and as chair of the CFL’s board of governors in 1986.

In 1983 Ron served on the board of directors of the organizing committee for the BC Summer Games held in Maple Ridge.

Beginning in 1986, Ron served as a trustee of the BC Sports Hall of Fame for nearly two decades, one of the longest serving board members in the Hall’s history. He also served as the Hall’s chair in 1996-97 and as a founding director of the BC Sports Hall of Fame Foundation.

In 1995, he helped create the Founder’s Cup Charity Classic, which over the next 25 years became one of the most successful fundraising golf tournaments in BC raising over $3 million in support of youth sport charities and the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

Written and researched by Jason Beck, Curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame.

To read more on the career of Ron Jones, please see the May 2022 Curator’s Corner article here: https://bcsportshall.com/curator-corner/ron-jones-fully-invested-in-sport-2021-inductee-spotlight/