Alumni Spotlight: Jones, Tellez
10/6/2022 10:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Championship caliber student-athlete, coach embellish championship program
This season, the Houston track and field and cross country program will spotlight multiple alumni and their accomplishments both while as student-athletes and as accomplished members of the community.
Jolanda Jones and Tom Tellez each left their mark on the University of Houston and its track and field program and have both since been inducted into the Hall of Honor.
Jones currently holds the school record in the heptathlon, was a three-time national champion in the heptathlon, an All-American in the 4x400 meter relay and a two-time All-American in the high jump. Tellez served as the head coach from 1976-98, winning five Southwest Conference team titles (three women's; two men's) and three Conference USA team titles (two men's; one women's).
Jolanda Jones, 1985-89, student-athlete
After growing up in Houston's Third Ward, Jones (1985-89) overcame numerous odds to become one of the most successful student-athletes at the University of Houston and later became the owner of a law practice and highly successful consulting firm.
While at Houston, Jones received one of the most prestigious awards given by the NCAA, the Top Six Award after becoming the first three-time NCAA heptathlon champion (1986, 1987 and 1989) and earning GTE/Academic All-American honors. She also was a member of USA Track and Field's national teams at the 1985, 1987 and 1989 World University Games, the 1987 Pan American Games and the 1986 Goodwill Games.
In addition, she won three Southwest Conference high jump championships, and still holds the school record in the event. Jones was the SWC Female Athlete-of-the-Decade runner-up for the 1980s. Jones graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in political science, was a member of the Dean's List every semester from 1985-89, was a Rhodes Scholarship nominee and was named the UH Alumni Organization's Most Outstanding Senior.
Following graduation, Jolanda received a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and earned her Juris Doctorate at the UH Law Center in 1995. She also has received the Houston Area Urban League's Marguerite Ross Barnett Leadership Award, UH Black Alumni Association Award of Excellence and NAACP Alex Award. Inducted in the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame in 1999, Jolanda was the most requested speaker for CoSIDA's Life's Playbook Program.
Following her collegiate career, Jones has made a successful career in court rooms and politics. Today, Jones serves as a Texas State Representative for House District 147 after winning a special election in May 2022. Before Jones won the special election in May, the Houston native was a Houston City Council member and Houston ISD board member.
Jones' successful criminal defense practice continues into its 25th year after graduating from University of Houston Law Center in 1999. Jones' courtroom expertise helped shut down the Houston Police Department's Crime Lab that faked lab results that had convicted innocent individuals.
Tom Tellez, 1976-98, head coach
In 22 seasons as head coach at the University of Houston, Tom Tellez produced some of the greatest track & field performers in the history of the sport. In 1976, Tellez could have become the strength and conditioning coach for the Dallas Cowboys, instead, he opted to move to Houston to replace retiring track coach and USTFCCCA Hall of Famer Johnny Morriss.
Tellez's accomplishments at Houston could fill a book, coaching multiple Olympians, national champions, All-Americans, conference champions and school record holders during his 22 seasons as the head coach of the Cougars. Tellez coached some of the greatest athletes in the history of the University, including Carl and Carol Lewis, Joe DeLoach, Kirk Baptiste, Frank Rutherford, Leroy Burrell, and Jolanda Jones.
In 2002, Tellez was inducted into Houston's Hall of Honor with former student-athlete Carol Lewis. Tellez was inducted into USTFCCCA's Hall of Fame in 1998. Houston named its on-campus track after him, the Tom Tellez Track at Carl Lewis International Complex. In 2016, Tellez was honored by USA Track and Field with the Legend Coach Award.
In 2017, the former Cougars head coach and Olympic coach returned to coaching, giving back to the younger generation at St. Thomas High School as a volunteer assistant.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the PODIUM CLUB
The Podium Club serves as a unique and effective way to enhance the level of excitement and support for Houston Cougar Track and Field and Cross Country. Gifts to the Podium Club provide financial support directly to the programs for needs beyond their operating budgets.
Donations made to the Podium Club are used at the discretion of the head coach. For more information or to sign up, click here. To join the Podium Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
Jolanda Jones and Tom Tellez each left their mark on the University of Houston and its track and field program and have both since been inducted into the Hall of Honor.
Jones currently holds the school record in the heptathlon, was a three-time national champion in the heptathlon, an All-American in the 4x400 meter relay and a two-time All-American in the high jump. Tellez served as the head coach from 1976-98, winning five Southwest Conference team titles (three women's; two men's) and three Conference USA team titles (two men's; one women's).
Jolanda Jones, 1985-89, student-athlete
After growing up in Houston's Third Ward, Jones (1985-89) overcame numerous odds to become one of the most successful student-athletes at the University of Houston and later became the owner of a law practice and highly successful consulting firm.
While at Houston, Jones received one of the most prestigious awards given by the NCAA, the Top Six Award after becoming the first three-time NCAA heptathlon champion (1986, 1987 and 1989) and earning GTE/Academic All-American honors. She also was a member of USA Track and Field's national teams at the 1985, 1987 and 1989 World University Games, the 1987 Pan American Games and the 1986 Goodwill Games.
In addition, she won three Southwest Conference high jump championships, and still holds the school record in the event. Jones was the SWC Female Athlete-of-the-Decade runner-up for the 1980s. Jones graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in political science, was a member of the Dean's List every semester from 1985-89, was a Rhodes Scholarship nominee and was named the UH Alumni Organization's Most Outstanding Senior.
Following graduation, Jolanda received a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and earned her Juris Doctorate at the UH Law Center in 1995. She also has received the Houston Area Urban League's Marguerite Ross Barnett Leadership Award, UH Black Alumni Association Award of Excellence and NAACP Alex Award. Inducted in the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame in 1999, Jolanda was the most requested speaker for CoSIDA's Life's Playbook Program.
Following her collegiate career, Jones has made a successful career in court rooms and politics. Today, Jones serves as a Texas State Representative for House District 147 after winning a special election in May 2022. Before Jones won the special election in May, the Houston native was a Houston City Council member and Houston ISD board member.
Jones' successful criminal defense practice continues into its 25th year after graduating from University of Houston Law Center in 1999. Jones' courtroom expertise helped shut down the Houston Police Department's Crime Lab that faked lab results that had convicted innocent individuals.
Tom Tellez, 1976-98, head coach
In 22 seasons as head coach at the University of Houston, Tom Tellez produced some of the greatest track & field performers in the history of the sport. In 1976, Tellez could have become the strength and conditioning coach for the Dallas Cowboys, instead, he opted to move to Houston to replace retiring track coach and USTFCCCA Hall of Famer Johnny Morriss.
Tellez's accomplishments at Houston could fill a book, coaching multiple Olympians, national champions, All-Americans, conference champions and school record holders during his 22 seasons as the head coach of the Cougars. Tellez coached some of the greatest athletes in the history of the University, including Carl and Carol Lewis, Joe DeLoach, Kirk Baptiste, Frank Rutherford, Leroy Burrell, and Jolanda Jones.
In 2002, Tellez was inducted into Houston's Hall of Honor with former student-athlete Carol Lewis. Tellez was inducted into USTFCCCA's Hall of Fame in 1998. Houston named its on-campus track after him, the Tom Tellez Track at Carl Lewis International Complex. In 2016, Tellez was honored by USA Track and Field with the Legend Coach Award.
In 2017, the former Cougars head coach and Olympic coach returned to coaching, giving back to the younger generation at St. Thomas High School as a volunteer assistant.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the PODIUM CLUB
The Podium Club serves as a unique and effective way to enhance the level of excitement and support for Houston Cougar Track and Field and Cross Country. Gifts to the Podium Club provide financial support directly to the programs for needs beyond their operating budgets.
Donations made to the Podium Club are used at the discretion of the head coach. For more information or to sign up, click here. To join the Podium Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
– UHCougars.com –
Interview - Shaun Maswanganyi
Tuesday, August 06
1PM - Track & Field, Outdoor | Tom Tellez Invitational
Friday, May 03
Track & Field, Outdoor | Cameron Burrell Alumni Invitational:
Saturday, April 06
Kirk Baptiste Spring Break Invitational
Thursday, March 14