2 weeks Ago By Shawn Harrison sports editor
A new position has been added to the Utah State athletics department. Thursday afternoon the announcement was made by the Aggies. Isaiah Jones will be the first Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Programming and Community Engagement.
USU Athletics Director Diana Sabau made the announcement. “I’m truly honored to join USU Athletics and excited to contribute to the Aggie legacy that’s been a part of my life since I was a kid,” Jones said in a press release. “I walked on to the football team in 2009, inspired by my father, Paul, who also competed at USU, and my mother, Sylvia.
My connection to Utah State University and Aggie Athletics runs deep. Together with my wife, Josselyn White-Jones, who is also a USU alum and former volleyball star, we are raising our four children — Tatum, Sophie, Micah and Baker — to continue the Aggie legacy. “I’m incredibly excited to serve Aggie Nation and all members of the USU and Cache Valley community.
I look forward to building meaningful relationships and helping to grow the presence and impact of USU Athletics both locally and beyond.” According to the press release, Jones will work to increase student-athlete programming with former Aggies and alumni and oversee community service initiatives. He will also work to build strong partnerships with local communities and stakeholders to position the university as a collaborative leader in addressing regional and societal challenges.
“With the addition of Isaiah Jones as our new leader in this space, we are striving toward an enhanced level of support for our student-athletes,” Sabau said in a press release. “His familiarity with Aggie Athletics and the challenges facing today’s student-athletes are outstanding assets, and his enthusiasm and knowledge make him the perfect person to begin implementing these initiatives.” Jones was on the football team from 2009-12.
The 2012 Aggie team went 11-2 and won a conference title. He joins the athletics department after nearly two years as USU’s Senior Director for Inclusive Excellence. Before that, Jones was USU’s Parent & Family Coordinator for Orientation for four years.
Jones’ ties to Aggie athletics also extend to his father Paul, who played football and was on the track & field team from 1981-84, and his mother, Sylvia. His parents were recognized as USU Alumni of the Year in 2012. Isaiah’s sister, Daphne, was a member of the USU track & field team from 2010-13, and his wife, Josselyn White-Jones, was a four-year letterwinner for USU volleyball (2009-12) and still ranks in the top 10 all-time for total blocks.
In his previous role with the university, Jones worked to establish, promote and maintain collaborative partnerships and relationships with university academic and administrative units, community institutions, organizations and the Inclusive Excellence Division statewide. Jones graduated from USU with a bachelor’s degree in human physiology in 2012 and a master’s degree in history. He also holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and is currently working on his MBA.
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