Primary Donor ‘Steps Up to the Plate’ For the Bankston Field Renovation Project

By April Hall, Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE – A recent fundraising endeavor in the form of letters to Randolph-Henry High School Baseball alumni was recently sent out by the school’s Athletic Director and former alumni, Chris Holt, seeking help with renovating the Bankston Field facility’s infield area. Holt along with Coach Bankston and Coach Allen identified a need for an infield renovation for the field.

As a result of this endeavor, one primary donor, Alan K. Jones, “stepped up to the plate” and funded the entire amount for the project. Jones, a 1999 graduate of Randolph-Henry High School, was noticed during his eighth grade year at Central Middle School by former Coach Donnie Reebals, who asked Jones’ friend Robbie Hancock to talk with him about joining R-HHS’s varsity baseball team. And as the old saying goes “the rest is history,” as Jones would go on to become a Varsity Baseball Statesmen for his entire four years of high school, later playing under now former Coach Billy Catron.

“I just wanted to give back,” Alan Jones humbly said. “The baseball field and the game of baseball meant so much to me, it was my world and honestly it was what kept me wanting to go to school,” Jones continued. “So many values were instilled in me, from my early Dixie Youth beginnings with Gary Walker, to not only see baseball as just a game, but a way of life,” he said. “Those values stayed with me into my high school years, as we were taught to not only play the game, but to take care of the facilities which we played on.”

“I wanted to see the field get returned to something that the current and future players of the game could be proud of,” continued Jones. “I want the youth of today to have the same opportunities that I had, to play on a good-conditioned field, so they can enjoy playing as much as I did!”

As baseball was a strong passion for Jones, he found his true passion was trucking and found that when trying to play another sport in the fall (football), it interfered with that passion. “I tried playing football, but found that I was so passionate for trucking and wanted to work during those summer months that football required for practice,” said Jones.

Jones’ career, which began with Curtis Tharpe Trucking of Drakes Branch, has flourished into a position with Abilene Motor Express of Richmond. “I know that without the game of baseball and all the coaches and mentors I had through the years, that I would not be where I am today. The game kept me motivated, and I am thankful that I had this opportunity to give back,” Jones concluded.

Although Jones was the primary donor for this project, many other contributions were made as well, with all contributions going directly to the enhancement of Bankston Field.

“We would like to thank R-HHS Baseball Alumni Alan K. Jones for generously funding the entire amount for the Bankston Field Renovation Project,” said Chris Holt. “We have had many other alumni contribute to the project as well and we will use all contributions to enhance the Bankston Field facility,” he continued. “We appreciate everyone who gave to the project, the donations have made it possible to bring the facilities back to pristine condition, suitable for our outstanding R-HHS baseball players and their opponents.”

A special ceremony planned for April 27, 2017 will recognize all R-HHS alumni that contributed to the project.