Forty years later, Hayes Jones is still remembered for clearing hurdles.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has declared Oct. 18 as Hayes Jones Day in Oakland County. The day will commemorate the 40th anniversary of Hayes' gold medal win in the 110-meter high hurdles at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Jones, 62, a 1961 Eastern Michigan University graduate, is currently deputy director of the Oakland County Department of Community and Economic Development.
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GOLDEN MOMENT : Hayes Jones, an Eastern
Michigan University graduate and 1964 gold
medal winner of the 100-meter-high
hurdles at the 1964 Olympics, proudly
displays his gold medal. Oakland County is
honoring him by declaring Oct. 18 Hayes
Jones Day. |
"Throughout his entire life, Hayes Jones has not only demonstrated his extraordinary athletic prowess, but he also has served as a role model for young people by showing them what can be accomplished through hard work, dedication and sacrifice," Patterson said.
Jones is humbled by the gesture.
"When Brooks Patterson informed me of his intentions, it took me completely by surprise. Quite frankly, I don't think that I am deserving of this type of recognition," Jones said. "I was only doing what boys my age did back then while growing up in Pontiac, competing against all of the guys in the neighborhood. I learned at an early age that I had the ability to run fast, jump high and far, and was encouraged to develop the gift, which was freely given to me. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think, what I was doing just for fun, would result in a parade being planned in my honor."
Jones will be honored with a ceremony at noon in the Oakland County Board of Commissioners parking lot at 1200 N. Telegraph Rd. Jones will receive tributes from Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the board of commissioners, the county executive, U.S. Congress, the state House of Representatives, the Michigan Senate, the Pontiac School District, the City of Pontiac and Eastern Michigan University.
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GLORY DAYS: Hayes Jones (right)
approaches the final hurdle in the lead
during his track days at Eastern Michigan
University. Jones, who won the gold medal
at the 1964 Olympics, will be honored with
a special day in Oakland County Oct. 18.
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From under a special tent, attendees will be able to view Jones' 1964 gold medal race and other visual images from his track career.
Jones won two state championships and set a state record during his track career at Pontiac High School (later called Pontiac Central). At Eastern Michigan University, Jones earned two NCAA hurdles championships. He went on to win four U.S. outdoor titles and was undefeated in 55 straight indoor hurdle races from 1959-64. Jones won the bronze medal in the 110-meter-high hurdles at the 1960 Rome Olympics before taking gold in 1964.
After returning to Pontiac, Jones donated his gold medal to the youth of that city. Since 1965, his gold medal has been on display at Pontiac City Hall.
"My tenure as an employee at Oakland County has been equally rewarding," Jones said. "As the county's deputy director of community and economic development, I not only focus on business retention and helping existing businesses prosper, but on bringing more business and more job opportunities in the county through the Export Center."
The Export Center helps small and medium-size companies who are ready to begin exporting their products and services to the international marketplace, Jones said.
