Community Champion: Michael Jones II
It’s time to recognize a Community Champion! It’s an honor given to people making a positive impact in the community, and in partnership with Leaders Credit Union.
Michael Jones II is the founder and program director of Pride Athletics.
“Pride Athletics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization where we work with the at risk youth in the community and we use football as our greatest tool in the fight against violence,” Michael shared.
Michael is the head coach of the Hub City lions, where he welcomes young athletes to ‘Da Jungle.’
“They learn to play actual organized football. You know when they leave here we expect them to do as our last group just did… go to middle schools and start. Every last one of them,” Michael explained.
His vision goes beyond sports. Michael believes in the power of athletics as a tool for personal growth as well.
“We’ve had some incredible athletes come through here. We also have had some kids that have gone on to be business owners, you know have their own barber shop and things like that. It’s not for everybody, but it does teach them discipline, responsibility, that type of thing,” he said.
With a deep understanding of the challenges young people face, Michael works to create opportunities even outside of sports.
“If you don’t have something to fall back on, you’ll pick something up that you don’t want to pick up. Football is a tool for academics, you know, but there’s some that can use this tool and go all the way to the pros and beyond,” Michael shared.
Michael Jones is also a youth pastor and says God also guides him as a coach.
“He said to teach them that they have dominion. They have total control over everything. Every decision they make you know everything that happens to them in life you know and that’s where we go from,” he shared.
But Michael says he couldn’t do it by himself, in the jungle it takes a village.
“I got a wonderful staff. You know, I ain’t who I am without God and the people holding me up,” he said. Michael shares a message not just for young athletes, but everyone, “trust God and trust yourself. That pretty much sums it up.”
To learn more about Pride athletics, how to donate to the cause, and how to enroll a young person into the program go to their website.
If you know someone doing good in their community, you can nominate them for the Community Champion award by clicking here.
For more local news, click here.
