Sam Jones receives Cornwell Award Honor
The Athens Foundation Foster B. Cornwell Awards are named for the local attorney who was instrumental in the growth of the Foundation and philanthropy in Athens County.
We are honored to recognize Sam Jones for his work in Glouster and Trimble to promote philanthropy and the welfare of people living there. We recognize your vision and hard work and thank you for what you give back.
Sam Jones
Sam was born and raised in the Trimble Township area. He has operated an athletic club for the youth for nearly 60 years. He was instrumental in the organization of the Trimble Township Little League programs and for several years coached little league football, baseball and basketball. He also coached Jr. High football for the Trimble schools.
Sam and his wife organized the Southeastern Ohio Golden Gloves Boxing Tournaments, which were held for 10 years in the area and brought much revenue to the Trimble Schools. He personally participated in professional boxing shows in which proceeds (nearly $8,000) went to the Trimble School System.
Sam is a former 3-time United States heavyweight Bando Kickboxing Champion and competed in Madison Square Garden in New York City, which was shown on ABC TV’s Wide World of Sports in 1975.
Sam was inducted to the Bando Kickboxing Hall of Fame held in Washington, DC on May 29, 1993. He was chosen by a national vote of his peers. He is an 8th degree black belt in the Bando system.
In 1995 he coached the United States professional kickboxing team against Russia in an event held in New Orleans.
Sam was the boxing coach at Ohio University for 20 years.
Sam has received many, many awards and as the Athens News wrote: one of Athens County’s “Most Beloved People.”
Sam was a former employee of the Buckeye Pipeline (Ohio Oil Gathering, Co.), an ironworker, owned and operated a men’s and woman’s clothing store and a tavern in Glouster, until his retirement in 1999.
Sam is currently a member of the Trimble Local Textbook and Supplies Foundation and the Trimble Local Wall of Fame committee. He is a past member of the Athens County Crime Solvers Anonymous Board, the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of the Community Bank, the United Bank Corporation for the Citizens Bank, Board of Public Affairs, and the Advisory Committee to the First National Bank of Nelsonville.
Sam and his wife, Ellen are the parents of 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
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