Men’s recruit: Penncrest’s Jones takes the plunge with new program at Jacksonville

Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/18/09

Penncrest senior attacker Dan Jones has signed a letter of intent to play with the first class of recruits at Division I Jacksonville University.

Jones, who scored 29 goals last year, first became interested in the new program after receiving an e-mail last summer from Dolphins coach Matt Kerwick.

“The e-mail said he was starting a new program and if I was interested to contact him,” Jones said. “I love the warm weather and it’s a small school, and everything just worked out.

“The campus is 5 minutes from the city and 10 minutes from the beach. You really can’t beat that. And the fields are awesome. The school has small classes, which caters to my style of learning. I am not one of those who do well in a class of 250 kids.”

Jones, who said he is leaning toward studying sports management, also likes the challenge of starting with a new program.

“That’s also a big thing because we’re building from the ground up,” he said. “No one can take it away. You’re starting with a new team and I’m going to be part of that history.”

Jones also would like to see the Tigers make some history of their own. He believes Penncrest can contend in the powerful Central League this year.

“I’d love to win it all, that’s definitely a goal for my team,” he said. “Right now we’re just trying to put it all together. We’re practicing hard and everyone on the team is working toward that.”