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HEADLINES

Gaiters Welcome Simon Jones
St. Mary’s Transfer Expected To Play Key Role On Gaiters D-Line

Profile by Sean O'Neill
Oct. 14, 2005 – As the youngest team in the CIS, the Bishop’s Gaiters have added more than their fair share of new faces to the roster this season. This influx of young talent is clearly one of the keys to rookie Head Coach Leroy Blugh’s rebuilding plan. At the same time, however, any team so reliant upon rookie players also needs strong and experienced veteran leadership to help the young talent on the team play to their full potential. One Gaiter who has played both the role of newcomer and veteran leader this season has been defensive lineman Simon Jones (Hamilton, Ont.) who transferred to Bishop’s after playing two seasons for Atlantic Conference powerhouse St. Mary’s.

The addition of Jones to the Gaiters defensive line strengthens an already formidable front seven for the Gaiters defence. Coach Blugh chose to describe Jones and his impact on the team in the following way: “Simon is an athletic player who is both strong and fast. He possesses all the qualities of an outstanding defensive lineman and will undoubtedly help our team with his presence and with his leadership.” Jones (6’2, 225 lbs) is expected to make a significant contribution playing alongside defensive stars such as Dan McCullough and Matt Chown. Jones says he expects his abilities and work ethic to compliment the rest of the defensive line, which he characterizes as ‘tireless and relentless.’

Among the main motivating factors in Simon’s decision to transfer to Bishop’s from St. Mary’s was the chance to play under Head Coach Leroy Blugh. Blugh, who enjoyed a distinguished pro career in the CFL, has already had a tremendous influence on Jones, with Jones stating that “…in my twelve years of playing football, I’ve improved more under Coach Blugh than at any other time.” Jones also adds that his ultimate goal is to one day, like Blugh, play professional football and says that Coach Blugh has been a valuable mentor in helping him get closer to reaching that objective.

The transition from the Atlantic Conference to the Quebec Conference has seen Jones go from playing for a national powerhouse in St. Mary’s to a Bishop’s team in the middle of a rebuilding phase. For his part, Jones views the Quebec conference as being much deeper, much more competitive and much more unpredictable than the AUFC. Jones also adds that the Gaiters 0-5 record, while disappointing, was partially due to the Gaiters having played arguably the toughest schedule in the country with four of their first five games coming against nationally ranked opponents. The fact that the Gaiters have managed to play both #4 Montreal and #6 Concordia very competitively is but one indication that Coach Blugh’s rebuilding plan is one the right track. With three games left in the season, Jones maintains that the success of this season will not strictly be measured in terms of wins and losses but in terms of whether or not the Gaiters improved as a unit throughout the course of the season, a goal that Jones feels the Gaiters are well on their way to accomplishing.

Fast, athletic and experienced, Jones is a huge asset to the Gaiter and his contribution to the team should be felt immediately. His natural leadership abilities should help keep the Gaiters motivated and focused and with Leroy Blugh continuing to help him evolve as a player, Jones will without a doubt be a player to keep an eye on this season and beyond.