Jones Earns Big 12’s Top Softball Scholar Honor
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Fifth-year senior Alex Jones became the second-straight Kansas Jayhawk to be named the Big 12 Softball Scholar Athlete of the Year, as announced by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.
Jones, an Enid, Oklahoma, native, was named the 2014 recipient of the top conference softball academic honor and second Jayhawk to earn the accolade in program history after Maggie Hull claimed the honor in 2013.
“Alex is very deserving of this award,” said head coach Megan Smith. “Alex has always exemplified what it means to be a true scholar athlete. She has been a huge reason for our success on the field and brings that same work ethic to classroom and community. She is great representative of our program and our athletic department.”
During the 2014 season, Jones received her third Academic All-Big 12 honor, was the recipient of the 2014 Marlene Mawson Exemplary Student-Athlete Award and earned the Big Jay Award, which is given to the student-athlete that best exemplifies what it means to be part of Kansas softball on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
Jones, an exercise science major, graduated in May and was nominated with a 3.8 grade point average (GPA). She plans to pursue a career in the medical field and will spend the next year getting more patient care experience before deciding on whether to go to medical school or become a physical therapist.
Also a very active member of the athletic department, KU campus and Lawrence community, Jones was the Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and an instrumental part of Kansas’ Soles for Souls collection during the fall of 2013. Jones has also helped out with the Douglas County Special Olympics, READ program, Fun and Fitness, The Shelter, Inc. and Trick-or-Treat So Others Can Eat.
On the field this season, Jones hit .293 with 43 hits, six doubles and 11 RBIs. She recorded 10 stolen bases and 26 runs scored. In the circle, Jones had a 1-0 mark and an ERA of 2.50 with 19 strikeouts.
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