Andrew Jones

I publish a website in the Rivals.com and Yahoo! Sports network that focuses on the University of North Carolina football and men's basketball plus recruiting for both sports. I am also the editor, lead writer, columnist, main face on our video podcasts, and have a staff of eight that are vital to our continued success. After covering multiple schools and pro teams over the first 18 years of my career, this is the first time I've focused on just one school and I love it. It allows me to peel away every layer imaginable to dig up information forcing a higher degree of creativity to continue feeding a passionate fanbase what they need and desire. I begin my eighth year in this position at the end of July.

Been very blessed to cover major college and professional sports for a living. Finally got married in 2005 to a wonderful woman, a neonatal nurse whose passion is helping save the lives of prematurely born babies. I left NoVa in 1998 and have been in NC since, first living in Wilmington and then in Raleigh since Oct., 2003.

Many favorite stories, though most probably occurred outside of school and doing things we shouldn't have. Loved playing sports at FH and will never forget Friday nights as a kid growing up and later as a player. Socializing, the many pretty girls, and getting in trouble in class are also up there in my memory bank. But, as I've gotten older, I am reminded quite regularly what a special place it was to grow up, sew some oats and make special friends. The kinship so many of us share is rather remarkable, and I hope it never changes.

Not very often, but I finally did in early July. See below.

Talk, yes, hang out, not so much. I finally got back to the area in eary July of 2021 and had a blast. My only regret is so many people I wanted to see were out of town, but that just means I have to get up there again, perhaps next spring after my season.

Probably not much. When people find out what I do for a living the response is almost universal: "Oh, that figures, you were born to do that." Or something along those lines. I am still the same in many respects, just older and much wiser.

Taking full advantage of having a hall pass and peeking through a bunch of windows before being caught. Most embarrassing moment was getting a 7 on an Algebra II/Trig test and coach (Marty) Bonnett (football offensive coordinator and also our teacher) holding it up in front of the class. Favorite hangout, there were too many and most were not actually at school. People's houses when their parents weren't home. Favorite teacher was Mr. Phelps, who taught U.S. Government. I think I was the only student in the class that never fell asleep that year. Most of all, the people, the community, and that even though the school has been closed for 36 years, we remain tight and carry a kinship that will never die.

I could say take academics and sports more seriously and less naughty behavior, but things have turned out pretty well, so I wouldn't change much, if anything at all.