VERMILLION, S.D. — University of South Dakota Director of Athletics Jon Schemmel has announced that USD alumni Scott ('88) and Lisa ('95) Jones have gifted Coyote Athletics with the athletic department's largest private family gift, helping to spearhead the USD athletic department into the next stages of Division I athletics.
 
"I am incredibly grateful to Scott and Lisa Jones for this investment into Coyote Athletics and our football program," said Schemmel. "They have always been leaders for us, and our student-athlete experience would not be what it is today without them. The impact of this gift resonates throughout our entire department."
 
The gift will go to benefiting not only the USD football program, but general athletic scholarships and event support for the entirety of the USD athletic department.
 
"Lisa, our four children, and I are so excited for this gift to USD and the Coyote football program! The enthusiasm and love we have for our Coyote brothers, sisters, staff, faculty, and leadership is beyond measure," commented Jones. "We look forward to continuing the commitment to excellence that the university and football program have ingrained in us."
 
A portion of the gift will endow the Offensive Coordinator position, which will provide budgetary enhancements to Coyote football. The Scott & Lisa Jones Family Offensive Coordinator position is the first coaching position to be endowed for Coyote Athletics.

"We would also like to thank my mom, dad, and three brothers for their help in making this a possibility. We'd also like to recognize my '83-'87 teammates and coaches; especially the ones that have been called home to their eternal resting place with the Father," concluded Jones. "Coyote Nation has full confidence in the team and coaching staff to make the future of Coyote football the greatest in our storied history! Go Yotes!!"
 
It will also provide seven-figures into the next phase of the DakotaDome renovations that will have a positive impact on football student-athletes.
 
"It will provide some incredible momentum for the future as we continue evolving to a new world of Division I collegiate athletics, while establishing championship resources and expectations for our football program," noted Schemmel. "Thank you to Scott, Lisa, and the entire Jones family!"
 
Jones, a 1988 USD football alum and 2005 USD Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, is arguably one of the best running quarterbacks in school history. In his two seasons as the starter in 1985-86, Jones led the Yotes to a 21-6 overall record and a 15-3 mark in North Central Conference (NCC) play.
 
A key piece in the Coyotes offense, Jones was the first quarterback at USD to post 300 points in an NCC season doing so in back-to-back seasons (1985-86). In that offensive explosion for the Coyotes, Jones holds the career rushing touchdown record at USD with 37, while also holding the program record for most yards in a season for a quarterback with 883 in 1986 and sitting tied for the most rushing scores in a single game with five against SDSU in October 1986.

Jones currently serves as the president of Maguire, Inc. out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He earned his degree in chemistry from USD in 1988, while his wife, Lisa, earned her degree in Arts & Sciences in 1995.