SPRING 2021


SLAM DUNK OF A CAREER


SLAM DUNK OF A CAREER


professors like Charlie Bowers, retired professor of exercise science.


Brian Jones ’96 has a simple work ethic: work hard and enjoy your work.


“My biggest piece of advice is to find a job you love and have fun. Like Mark Twain said, ‘Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’ I wake up every day looking forward to what the day holds and how I might improve myself through the process,” said Jones.


Hard work has certainly paid off for Jones, supervisor of the recently built Rock Hill Sports & Event Center, the new $27 million indoor athletic facility in the University Center/Knowledge Park area. The enjoyment comes for Jones in touting the state-of- the-art facility as another sports hub – in addition to Giordana Velodrome cycling venue, Manchester Meadows soccer fields and Cherry Park softball/ baseball complex – that will enhance the city’s evolving sports tourism market.


“Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism has set the bar for what a sports tourism destination looks like, and


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the addition of the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center just adds to that incredible impact,” said Billy Dunlap, president and CEO of Visit York County.


Jones said the center’s goal is to be diverse and welcoming to all. For instance, they are in the planning stages of hosting a regional junior wheelchair basketball event with USA Wheelchair Basketball in December. “Accessibility was very important to our city leaders, so in the planning stages of the facility it was in the forefront of the development,” he said.


Nurturing a love of sports


Jones has been connected to the sports community in Rock Hill since the mid-1990s when he first came to Winthrop to study physical education. He attended sporting events, recalling a packed Winthrop Coliseum in 1995 to watch the Eagles take on the Wake Forest men’s basketball team. And he related to some of his


“As a professor and person, he brought it to you straight. He was always honest and very encouraging. I was always impressed with his dedication to Winthrop and his involvement in the Rock Hill community, even to this day,” added Jones.


Jones obtained his master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy in 2000 and landed a job in education and as athletic director at Fort Mill Middle School. He also worked several years with ROAR Sports running the youth and adult programs.


Then in 2013, he started with Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism as the Cherry Park supervisor. He was later promoted in 2018 to supervise the new sports center, which houses multiple basketball and volleyball courts, a walking track, locker rooms, concession stands and an 8,000-square-foot event space. Take a tour of the facility.


Taking a team approach


In supervisory roles, Jones likes to “lead by example” and has learned through job experience that not all people learn the same.


“I want to be in the trenches with my team wherever that trench may be,” he said. “This has helped me as a manager to better relate to my team.”


Visit Rock Hill Sports & Event Center for more information.


Last year, Jones and his team had to quickly maneuver the impact of the pandemic. Right before a planned grand opening in March 2020, the facility had to shut down.


“The pandemic has provided many hurdles to overcome over the past year, and it has been intriguing to say the least,” Jones said. “When I am challenged, I tend to lean on my creativity to complete the demand,” he added.


Since then, the sports center has been able to open its doors to the Rock Hill community, safely hosting a variety of sports tournaments and events, including basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and even cornhole. Last year, the center hosted a cornhole tournament that aired on ESPN.


Additionally, the facility will be offering youth and adult basketball and volleyball programs, including youth summer camps and clinics.


“Not only has it been a great community asset, the center also has welcomed thousands of visitors each weekend, giving exposure to our vibrant downtown,” Billy Dunlap added.


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