BOONE – Appalachian State University officially dedicated the new App State Tennis Courts as the Jim & Elaine Jones Outdoor Tennis Complex on May 1, honoring the deep and lasting legacy of a couple who have spent decades serving the institution and the Boone community.
As Director of Athletics from 1974-80, Jim Jones was a transformative leader, expanding the athletic department from six to 22 sports and trailblazing the university's first scholarships for female student-athletes.
Beyond his administrative success, Jones was a legendary figure on the court. Over a 20-year coaching career, he amassed a 267-86 record, secured eight conference championships and earned inductions into both the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame and the App State Sports Hall of Fame. He balanced these roles with a distinguished academic career as a Professor Emeritus and Chair of the Accounting Department, where he was recognized as the North Carolina Outstanding Accounting Educator.
The complex is co-named for his wife, Elaine Jones, commemorating a partnership that began on an App State tennis court in 1960. Together, the Jones family has spent over six decades serving the Boone community and supporting generations of Mountaineers. This facility stands as a permanent tribute to their legacy of leadership, mentorship and athletic excellence.
