Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame
Paul T. Jones - Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach - (1967-81)
Jones was selected team captain of the Catamount's first Cross Country team in 1967 and as Western Carolina's first track team in 1968. Jones remained at WCU in graduate school and became the head coach of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams in 1969 and held this position until 1981. He compiled a career record of 187-79 during his tenure and was named the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year in 1974. Jones led the Catamounts to numerous conference and district titles and to a top 20 ranking in 1974-75. He coached several all-conference performers as well as All Americans Jerry Gaines, Ben Bailey, and Eugene Collins.
