March 25, 2011
Press Release

DETROIT NON-PROFIT ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Dewayne Jones has joined the Think Detroit PAL staff as the new director of athletics
 
Detroit, Mich.— Think Detroit PAL is pleased to announce that Dewayne Jones, former Athletic Director of the West Bloomfield School District, is the organization’s new director of athletics.

“I am delighted that Dewayne Jones has joined our staff,” said Think Detroit PAL COO Tim Richey.  “Dewayne brings over twenty years of athletic administration experience with him to the organization.  This wealth of knowledge, combined with his commitment to youth character development, will serve to strengthen our reach and enrich our programming.”

Since 1999, Jones served as the athletic director of West Bloomfield Schools, where he oversaw 27 varsity, 21 junior varsity, 17 freshman and 24 middle school sports programs.  During that time, Jones trimmed the budget by approximately $150,000 and developed and added a new Boys LaCrosse program.  Prior to that, Jones was the Athletic Director of Ferndale Public Schools (1990-99) and Women’s Head Basketball Coach of the University of Detroit (1983-90).

“I chose educational athletics as my profession because I believe that sports teach values and assist in the development of the mind, body and spirit of young people,” Jones said.  “In many ways, this belief is right in line with Think Detroit PAL’s mission of building character in young people.  I am looking forward to the challenge of continuing the organization’s work, and helping it to go even farther, and reach even more girls and boys in the city of Detroit.”

Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts specializing in Special Education K-12 and as Masters of Arts specializing in Learning Disabilities from Northern Michigan University.

Jones has also served as president of various organizations, including: The Oakland Activities Association, Athletic Division (1998-99); Southeastern Michigan Association (1993-94); Oakland County Athletic Director’s Associations (1995-96).  In addition, Jones received the MHSAA Al Bush Award and was honored as the Oakland County Athletic Director of Year in 2000.  He was also honored as the MIAAA Region II Athletic Director of the Year in 2008.

To read Dewayne Jones' full bio, click here.

Think Detroit PAL was formed in 2006 with the merger of Think Detroit Inc. and the Detroit Police Athletic League.  In partnership with the Detroit Police Department and community volunteers, Think Detroit PAL builds character in young people through athletic, academic and leadership development programs. In 2010, Think Detroit PAL served over 10,000 girls and boys through 10 sports, making it one of the largest youth organizations in the state of Michigan. More than 80 cents of each dollar donated to Think Detroit PAL goes directly into programming

For more information, please visit http://www.thinkdetroitpal.org or call 313-833-1600.