RUSS JONES

2025 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Russ Jones swam for Brockton Massachusetts YMCA as an age group swimmer and for Brockton High School, where during his senior year he was captain. In 1969 he attended the University of Massachusetts and, while in college, he began his coaching career.  During that time, he coached YMCA and club swim teams. In 1976, after graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Russ founded the Hockomock YMCA swimming team.

During his time coaching at Hockomock YMCA, from 1976-1982, he coached over 110 swimmers aged 6-18 and brought swimmers to YMCA Nationals.  From 1982-1986, Russ coached both morning and evening swim sessions for the New England Barracudas. During this period, his team consistently placed in the top three at the New England Senior Championships.  Russ took approximately a dozen swimmers to Junior Nationals and had two swimmers qualify for Olympic Trials.   In 1987, Russ was head coach for Cumberland Area Swim Team (CAST) and coached there until 1990.  During his last year, he helped coach the team to a RI State Championship title as well as coaching a swimmer to a National Record in the 50 yard breaststroke.

From 1990-1993, Russ coached the Lincoln High School Lions Swim Team, which placed third year after year at state championships and had numerous swimmers place in the top of their events repeatedly. He coached many of these swimmers to become All State and All-Division swimmers, including the first recipient of the RI Interscholastic Female Swimmer of the Year.

From 2000 -2004, Russ coached at Kent County YCMA and his team won SENECY Championships in 2004 and placed in the top 9th in the New England YMCA championship meet.  He also coached his daughter, Cassie, to Long Course Y Nationals in 2004.  Russ later coached swimming at the South County YMCA in 2017.

Over the years, Russ coached many RI Aquatic Hall of Famers, including  Beth Iacobucci Brown, Anne Iacobucci Witti, Andrew Cardillo, Jason Bois, Susan Pergola, Matt Gilson and Colleen McGarry.

Russ taught special education for the Cumberland, RI School district from 1976 – 2012.

In addition to enjoying spending time with his wife, Donna, his daughters Cassie and Bethany, and his grandchildren Jaxson and Savannah, Russ, swims recreationally 3-5 weekly, and enjoys golf and walking the beach.