Tom Jones | University of Illinois Archives

Name: Tom Jones

Historical Note: Tom Jones played wheelchair basketball for both the U of I (1959 BA Communications, 1971 MA Television) and the Champaign-Urbana Black Knights. He was a world-record holder in wheelchair track competitions for the U of I. His success extended to his professional career as well. From 1957 to 1975, he held several positions for WCIA Television, including writer, producer, director and sports director. He hosted an early morning talk show called "Sun Up" and also announced play-by-play and color commentary for Big Ten basketball for television and Big Ten football for radio. In 1971, he was named Illinois Handicapped Citizen of the Half-Century.