When Fred "Red" Jones played for the Penguins and Coach Dom Rosselli, he was part of a group of players that knew nothing other than regular-season play – then the real season and post-season tournament action.
Playing for the Penguins from 1960-61 to 1963-64, Jones and Company led YSU to postseason play the last four seasons during a stretch that included seven appearances in eight campaigns. In fact, when Jones graduated, the Guins missed postseason play in 1964-65, then returned to playoff form in 1965-66 to mark eight appearances in a nine-year stretch.
Jones helped the Penguins to a 21-7 overall mark during his freshman campaign in 1960-61 after graduating from Norwin High School in Irwin, Pa. He played in just 13 of the team's 28 games, scoring 23 points, averaging 1.8 per outing and grabbing 12 rebounds. The team dropped its first game in its postseason regional 43-28 to Wittenberg at Crawfordsville, Ind. They then posted a 96-82 decision over South Carolina State in the consolation contest.
As a sophomore, Rosselli noticed improvement in Jones' play, giving him spot-starting assignments. He responded by helping the Penguins to a 16-12 record and their second straight postseason appearance. He scored 233 points in 24 games (9.2 per game average), hauling in 92 rebounds for an average of four per contest. The Penguins advanced to the Akron Regional dropping a 74-60 contest to Florida A&M before defeating Gannon 58-52 in the consolation game.
Jones' junior season in 1962-63 saw the Penguins with an 18-9 overall record and he was the second-leading scorer with 219 points – 8.1 per outing. YSU reached postseason play for the third straight year, losing to Wittenberg before beating Buffalo, again in the consolation final.
His senior season saw the Penguins post a 24-3 over record, which is still a high water mark for wins in a single season. He scored 212 points, averaging 8.5 per contest. YSU reached postseason play again dropping its first game to LeMoyne before beating Ithaca in the consolation game.
During his four-year career, Jones helped the Penguins to a 79-31 overall mark and a 4-4 postseason record with four consecutive appearances. His determination and overall play earned him a tryout with the Cincinnati Royals in the NBA.
He received his BA in Education in 1965 from YU, and earned his Master's in Education from Kent State in 1968.
He was the Physical Director of the Akron YMCA in 1965-66, From 1966 through 1969, he taught sixth grade in the Salem City Schools. From 1969 to 1987 he was Elementary Principal at Southeast Schools. From 1987 to present (1993) he has been the Director of Transportation and Federal Programs for Salem City Schools.
Married in 1965 to the former Janet Arlene Hall, they are the parents of a daughter, Lori.
