The list of basketball coaching achievements is long for Cyclones Head Coach Delwyn Jones, and he just received one more after being chosen for the 2023 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
This hall of fame was created in 1973 to honor the most influential players, teams, coaches, media, officials and friends of basketball in Illinois. He joins a distinguished list of inductees.
"I really appreciate the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association for recognizing me and the significance of junior college basketball. This means a recognition of time and work put in but also is a reflection of my former players and coaches who helped me get to this point. That includes the first year, where we almost didn't have a team. They helped us get on track," Jones explained. "It's all about these players. I give credit to them because they are responsible for it – the talent to get here to get the wins."
Since 2000, Jones has led the women's basketball program at Moraine Valley, earned his 400th career victory and was 415-248 after the 2021-22 season. He also was inducted into the NJCAA Region IV Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Hall of Fame in 2016.
Jones has been named Skyway Conference Coach of the Year seven times and NJCAA Region IV Coach of the Year twice. He led the 2016-17 team to the NJCAA Division II Championship in Arkansas for the first time in his tenure and then again in the 2018-19 season, where they finished eighth in the nation.
"We are very lucky to have Delwyn on our coaching staff. He has helped bring a lot of success and recognition to our women's basketball program, and this latest honor proves that. We've had many student-athletes succeed because of his coaching and teaching," said Bill Finn, Moraine Valley athletics director.
In addition to these honors, Jones has coached hundreds of players, including six All-American players, and several who have come back as assistant coaches, played in alumni games or become coaches elsewhere. Many talk about what an influential and positive person he's been in their lives. And that's whom he gives credit to.
"The key to longevity is doing things the right way and treating your student-athletes the best you can. I truly believe that," Jones said. "It's about the student-athletes and their experiences. Some have been influential in getting players to come to Moraine Valley. It's about relationships and being there for these young women. It's an 11.5 month part-time job, 30 hours a week. To be recognized for something like that, it balances all the time you put in."