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Jack Jones
Football, Baseball
and Basketball
(1947-1951)
Jack Jones, a native of
Fairfax, Ala., was a three-sport (football, basketball and
baseball) athlete for West Alabama from 1947-1951. Jones
received many athletic honors, including being named Captain and
Most Valuable Player his senior year in football as well as
being selected Little All-America. He played in the 1951 Senior
Bowl and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns. Following
graduation from UWA, Jones coached at several state high schools
before returning to West Alabama as a coach and a teacher.
Nels Strickland
Football
(1967-1971)
Nels
Strickland, a native of Waycross, Ind., was the first West
Alabama athlete to be named First Team All-American. Strickland
played middle linebacker on UWA’s 1971 NAIA National
Championship team. Strickland was named Most Valuable Defensive
Player in the title game for his 15 tackles, seven assists and
one interception. He was tabbed permanent defensive captain for
the 1971 team and its most Outstanding Defensive Player.
Strickland was named All-GSC first team his senior year and went
on to play in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto
Argonauts. He holds the school record for longest interception
return for his 100-yard return against North Alabama in 1971.
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