Photo by Elizabeth Olivier
Allan Jones pours water from the UT Student Aquatic Center into the new pool at Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center on Saturday during dedication ceremonies.
The Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center last month hosted the U.S. Olympic diving team selection camp, but the loudest applause there likely came Saturday night.
The reason was not any dive, but the diver - philanthropist Jones.
In a surprise move during the new center's official dedication, the Cleveland, Tenn., businessman stripped down from his black-tie suit to a Speedo-style Tennessee swimsuit and jumped off the 5-meter platform.
The stunt, which brought loud cheers from the several hundred invited guests, had come from a promise Jones had made.
Jones, the founder and CEO of Check Into Cash Inc., said that after his $4 million lead gift for the $24.3 million facility was announced during the UT-Miami football game in November 2002, the UT swim team went to Cleveland to visit him. He told the team that after the facility was built, he would do a cannonball in the diving pool.
"I was lying … because I have decided to do a can opener," he said to the crowd, which broke into cheers.
Before his plunge, Jones said that his gift came after Chattanooga businessmen John and Eileen Thornton were encouraging him to donate to the project at the same time Georgia was competing with Tennessee to recruit then-future UT diver Brittany Fulmer, the daughter of Vol football coach Phillip Fulmer.
He said he realized a facility like the center was needed to encourage her and others to go to Tennessee, so he decided to help support the project.
Jones also told the crowd with a laugh that he grew up swimming in a place a little different from the Jones Center - Mouse Creek in Cleveland.
"Believe me, this is a far cry from Mouse Creek," he said. "I had no idea a facility like this would bear my name."
Another dedication surprise, but one more serious, was when Phillip Fulmer, his wife, Vicky, and Brittany announced that the family was endowing a permanent $250,000 diving scholarship in honor of longtime UT diving coach Dave Parrington.
Others who offered remarks Saturday were UT President Dr. John Petersen, and UT men's and women's athletic directors Mike Hamilton and
Joan Cronan.
"Tonight is a night that memories grow from," Cronan said. "I don't know of any other place except China that has a facility like this."
She also referenced former Lady Vol Christine Magnuson's scheduled relay race in the Olympics that night, and the audience cheered.
Another emotional moment came when former UT coach Ray Bussard, who was in a wheelchair, handed Jones a crystal flask of water from the Student Aquatic Center, and Jones poured it into the two pools at the new facility. Jones also poured some water he had brought from Mouse Creek.
Bussard received a cheer when he was mentioned during a special video.
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Comments » 33
BillVol writes:
Picture of Jones doing his dive? Hello?
kaplan#211944 writes:
UT photographer left to shoot scrimmage.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Any prospects for future cannon-balling?
Nice facility. Congrats.
alfrizzle097 writes:
My dad helped with some of the water drainage plans for the guy's new house. Thing is huge. Has a huge tree house (4000 square feet?) and university quality practice field. UTC has some practices there every year.
Not to mention his personal car museum....
If money could buy happiness, I think he would be wearing a permanent smile.
rabidvol1998 writes:
Let's just say it makes enough money you can give 4 million away.
rabidvol1998 writes:
I remember the day he gave the check. His boat was so big it had to park in the middle of the river and he took a smaller boat to shore.
I'm just glad there's hope for good 'ol boys to make big bucks.
alfrizzle097 writes:
Not as bad as you guys make it out. The interest rates are ridiculous, but that is because of the high risk loan. If you have to go there, then you aren't in a good financial situation.
I think that the large profits have more to do with high volume than any gouging. After all, if you could make a profit at lower rates, others would be doing and poaching all his business.
Free market econonomy.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff - we are all supposed to be inured about "family". It has carries the football program to where it stands today, whether you're on the happy side or less than thrilled.
I'll ship you another pony keg of GGK. And we got our new orange shakers with checkerboard handles. We also found some 10 year old- We're # 1 - foam fingers with viewing ports for those behind you.
rthestar#368358 writes:
as usual I'm surrounded by idiots... checki cashing is a valid service for the mnay folks that cannot get a regular bank account like all you rich folks ......why did I even bother writing that? R*
GreeneVol writes:
...And none of you would accept a scholarship to UT for your son/daughter because it is funded by the lottery, right?
BigMix writes:
tngeoff, what homeless shelter did you volunteer at this morning before posting your Hamilton bashing post?
Thank you for your support of our University Mr. Jones.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Frizzle their is damn near no risk involved in CHeck Advance places. The clients usually have an absolutely horrible credit history, and considered high risk by everyone but the Check Advance places.
They have an annual interest rate between 475% and 640% depending on the State they are in.
Now the Check Cashing places normally just take 10% of the Checks value, and it is completely zero risk if they follow their verification procedures.
Draw your own conclusion on whether these blood sucking financial vampires live off the blood of the poor, I haven't formulated an opinion yet.
BradleyCountyVOL writes:
Mr. Jones is not an alumnus of The University of Tennessee, he attended MTSU. He is, though, a large contributor to sports facilities and education for the entire UT system, as well as Cleveland City Schools. Many think Check Cashing is crooked, and maybe it can be, but at least he returns some of it back into the community in which he is most closely aligned with. Think globally, act locally…or something right?
TommyJack writes:
Seems to me check cashing is a bidness. If you think you're being scammed, don't go. Ease up on this guy.
TommyJack writes:
Geoffrey: Do you have a pebble in your Weejun?
Sure there's an ethical line. I don't know what kind of rate this guy charges, but presumably it's within the law. Save your angst for the enemy. :)
wyomingvol writes:
Tennessee uses a lottery to help fund its education system.
Last time I checked, it was the folks that didn't have $100 extra dollars spending $101 dollars on lottery tickets.
Obviously preying on the less well heeled.
If you have a problem with this guy, then you better carry your fight to the rest of the State of Tennessee Board of Education and the lawmakers.
Get over it.
BigMix writes:
Your apology is accepted Jack.
TommyJack writes:
BigMix: ??
BigMix writes:
The Juice Man
TommyJack writes:
ah ha.
Ironcity writes:
He is a really smart man who is also heavy into Real Estate. Sold his collection agency and made a killing. Check Cashing does feed on the stupid. Lets face it, based on what I read here there is quite a business for that.
budd#207344 writes:
Tommy Jack
Great point. You don't like the business go somewhere else. Like maybe the guy with the bent nose who will break your kid's arm if you don't pay it back.
We all work for companies who try and make a profit. It's legal and you aren't forced to use it so stick your commie pinko remarks somewhere the sun won't see 'em
Supposed your
Visa card is better huh?
TommyJack writes:
budd: I don't get it.??
Southland writes:
it is a rotten business that takes advantage of the poor. Case closed. It is allowed. Sleezy people start them and run them. Maybe our next big donor will be a buy here pay her car dealer or a trailer park owner that takes welfare checks from the government for trailers not fit for a dog to live in. Free Market economy yes decent No.
Southland writes:
by the way, the lottery takes advantage of poor people that hope to make it big but simply takes their money.
T0MMYJACK writes:
Speaking of goobers ... those who are "preyed upon" by Jones & his business have the choice of whether to patronize Check Into Ca$h or to stay away. Just as those who continually throw their money at lottery odds that range from 1:333 up to 1: 146 million. The rules of both "games" are very clear to anyone who takes the time to look at what will happen to their money if they "play".
In the company's defense, it may make more sense for someone to pay a $15 fee on $100 than to pay a $50 NSF fee on a bad $100 check. It's just unfortunate when folks are using the service for beer money. Or for fritters.
Who's at fault? Maybe it's not so clear cut, but I'm sensing that those posters who are condemning Jones are more familiar with the "debtor" role than that of the "lender".
BigMix writes:
TJ:This may help.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define...
The only problem I have with check into cash is that they become an eyesore.
T0MMYJACK writes:
Good point.
TommyJack writes:
country410: Exactly
Brama writes:
Where the picture of him doing the Can Opener. You know he owns By here Pay here USA
bigballah writes:
Cash makes no enemies.
bigballah writes:
"convenience"
TommyJack writes:
country410: No, I sell siding.
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