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Thiel College's first defensive back is making a name for herself

By: PRLog
Mary Jones '22 is a first-year defensive back for the Thiel football team and believed to be the first female non-kicker in the Tomcat's 100-plus year playing history.
GREENVILLE, Pa. - Oct. 24, 2018 - PRLog -- Greenville, Pa. native Mary Jones '22 is a first-year defensive back for the Thiel College football team and believed to be the first female non-kicker in the program's 100-plus year playing history.

Jones, a 2018 graduate of Greenville High School, never played competitive football prior to Thiel College (https://www.thiel.edu/).

"It was mostly a spur of the moment thing," Jones said of her decision to play football. "I was asked to work the public safety desk for the beginning of football camp. I saw everyone and I was like 'man, I could really try to prove myself here and be part of the team.'"

Jones, a first-year student studying engineering, also plays trombone in the Thiel Tomcat Marching Pride band and is a member of the College's Dietrich Honors Institute. She is also involved with theater on campus and holds a work-study job during the academic year at the campus library.

"Football's fun," Jones said. "I have fun on the field and being a part of a team. Football was something I never did. I like to try new things, and I thought this would be a great experience for me. Football camp was actually fun for me, I know a lot of players would probably disagree."

Jones thought about playing football in high school but she didn't have the time and her father, Thiel College Captain of Campus Police Tom Jones, was afraid that his 5-foot-4, 115-pound daughter would get hurt.

In high school, she turned her energies to physical fitness and took an interest in boxing, Aikido and Taekwondo. Jones also competed in the pole vault and the 100-meter dash for her high school track & field team.

"Some guys weren't sure how it was going to be having a girl in the room," said Thiel College Defensive Coordinator Matt Arshinkoff. "But she's been good. The guys really took to her."

Jones has not participated in a varsity game yet, but has played in a pair of junior varsity games against Saint Vincent and Geneva.

"It's good to put yourself out there," Jones said. "Put yourself out there in your school and people are going know your name."

About Thiel College

Thiel College (https://www.thiel.edu/) is a private college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 25 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation.

Contact
Thiel College
***@thiel.edu

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Thiel College Logo Mary Jones is first female non-kicker for the Thiel College Tomcats.

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