More and more high school students are focusing on a singular sport, and the multi-sport athlete is becoming rare. Multi-sport athletes have the opportunity to become better competitors and all-around athletes, the kind that coaches’ value because they are flexible, multidimensional, exposed to many situations and coachable.
Ben Jones possesses all the above characteristics and is the quintessential multi-sport athlete, well-rounded all-American kid. Throughout his high school career Ben has been a 3-sport athlete, maintained a very high academic record and been a valued member of the St. Andrew’s School Class of 2020.
Jones played Varsity Football all 4 years of high school and was a captain of 
the team this year. He was named one of the top performing athletes of the week by the Savannah Morning News, along with teammate and friend Reggie Sheppard. Ben was also awarded GISA AA All Region football player, and he was especially proud of his team winning the 2019 GISA Region Championship. St. Andrew’s School head football coach, Doug Dixon, stated “It has been a pleasure to be blessed with the opportunity to coach Ben Jones. He was a hardworking, disciplined and selfless athlete that put the team first. These attributes along with his strong leadership were integral in helping us win a region championship this past season in football.”
Ben played on the JV Basketball team as a freshman and moved to the Varsity Basketball team for his remaining 3 years of high school. Jones was a captain of the team and made the All-Tournament Team during the annual Gray Solana Basketball Tournament. The Lions went far this year and were the GISA State Runner Up. St. Andrew’s School head basketball coach, Mel Abrams, stated “Ben was always about what was best for the team. His team first attitude was important to our team success. He consistently worked hard regardless of how many minutes he played. Most of all, I appreciate the fact that he was coachable and respectful. There is no doubt he will be missed.”
Ben also played baseball his freshman and senior years. They cut this season 
short, but Ben enjoyed the opportunity to practice, start season play and bond with his friends and teammates for one last season. St. Andrew’s head baseball coach, Scott Abernathy, had high hopes for a very successful season and was looking forward to having Ben on the team.
Jones was St. Andrew’s School nominee for the Ashley Dearing Award. There were only 28 Savannah athletes nominated for this prestigious award. The award started in 1954 and they give the celebrated award to the most versatile male athlete in Savannah, as voted on by athletic directors and media members. Candidates must play football, basketball, and a spring sport to be nominated.
Ben began playing basketball at the YMCA as a 1st grader and then started playing football and baseball for the Talahi Tigers in the 3rd grade. Jones has a very close and supportive family. Not only did his parents show up to his games but so did his brother, grandparents and sometimes even aunts, uncles and cousins. Ben says, “my grandad has been the most influential person in my athletic career. He was the person who really got me into playing sports and he would come to every single one of my games and even some practices when I played little league football, baseball and basketball.”
Ben is not only an amazing athlete but also an outstanding student. Jones stated, “time management has been a major part of my success as a student athlete. Using any spare time in school or at home to get my schoolwork done was important in keeping my grades up.” Ben also says, “my parents also played a large role in my success in the classroom because there were many times where they would threaten to pull me off the team if I didn’t pull my grades up.”
Ben is a member of the National Honor Society and National Science Honor Society. He has maintained honor roll or the Headmasters list throughout high school, received the Presidential Academic Excellence Award and the St. Andrew’s School Headmaster’s Cup. St. Andrew’s School awards the Headmasters Cup to one male and one female senior as "best all around" recognition of their overall contributions to St. Andrew’s School in academics, athletics, citizenship and service. This award is chosen by the Upper School Faculty and Administration. Ben represents what St. Andrew’s School is all about. Jones will attend the University of Georgia in the fall and major in Engineering.
Congratulations to Ben Jones, a true 3-sport student athlete and a St. Andrew’s School Lion.
