General | 09/16/21 | 10:37 AM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Steve Jones has been named the 2021 Charles Morris Administrator of the Year by the NAIA.
 
This honor, which was created in memory of the former NAIA Associate Executive Director Charles Morris, recognizes an NAIA member who has made significant contributions as an administrator of intercollegiate athletics, while also exemplifying the loyalty and enthusiasm that Mr. Morris had for the association.
 
"It's humbling. You realize that these individual awards are a reflection of tons of work put in by the entire department," Jones said. "It is a team effort between the coaches, administrators, and student-athletes. Everyone plays a part in athletics and awards like this are a reflection of a lot of hard work by a lot of people."
 
Steve Jones, or "Jonesy" as many called him, began working at Carroll as a strength coach and athletic trainer in 1985. At the time, he also served as an assistant football coach. He was on staff for three of Carroll Football's national championships. 
 
Most recently, Jones was the Director of Athletic Operations and Facilities, but he knew how to do a little bit of everything. With extensive knowledge on what needs to happen behind the scenes, Steve's foot print was on every Carroll Athletic event.
 
"Steve is very deserving of the prestigious NAIA national honor," said Carroll Athletic Director Charlie Gross. "He has not only impacted the lives of so many Carroll student athletes, but through his event and facility management has touched the experience of our visiting Frontier and Cascade Conference teams through the years.  In all that Steve did, he consistently embraced the NAIA Champions of Character values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership."
 
In addition to his work in facilities and with the student-athletes at Carroll, Jones was also a board member and president of the Century Club, which was Carroll Athletics' primary fundraiser in the 1990s. He also helped launch the first ever Saints Athletic Auction, which has been around now for almost four decades and has raised over a million dollars toward student-athlete scholarships.
 
One of Jones' most notable accomplishments was his role in the opening of Nelson Stadium in 2001. Not only did he help plan the building of the stadium, he also served as its primary caretaker for two decades. 
 
"Thank you to all of the players, coaches I have worked with over the years, but most importantly I want to thank my family for all the support they have provided over the years," Jones added. "Without their understanding, it wouldn't have been possible to provide what I did to Carroll College."
 
Jonesy's presence is greatly missed every day in the Carroll College Athletic Department, and we are so glad to see his tireless work get recognized on a national level with this prestigious award.