Ervin "Koe" Jones
Ervin “Koe” Jones often reflects on a quote he once heard in a human development course here at Richland by motivational speaker Les Brown: “If you can look up, you can get up.” And Koe has done just that.
At an early stage, Koe began experiencing a variety of unfortunate events and tumultuous home life. He ran away from home at age 10 and began living a life on the streets. By 13, he entered the juvenile court system and lived the majority of his childhood in the foster care system.
At age 11, he developed a relationship with a woman he calls “Grandma.” She ran a shelter for displaced teens. He was originally drawn to her shelter because he thought it was a drug house. It turned out to be “his sanctuary” and his “go-to place.”
While Koe was living a life on the streets, “Grandma” encouraged him to go back to school and get an education. Despite the odds against him, Koe completed high school and later came to Richland College to play basketball. But there was one problem, he couldn’t read.
Koe struggled his first year, having to start with fundamental courses. But Koe pushed on to complete two years here, all while playing basketball, and left with a 3.4 GPA.
After leaving Richland, Koe earned a basketball scholarship to Peru State in Nebraska but the struggle continued. "Grandma" died due to injuries sustained in a car accident during his time there. But Koe continued to persevere, and later received his degree in sports management.
Koe returned to Dallas in July of 2006. He currently works for the U.S. Postal Service, serves as a youth minister at the Mount Olive Church of Plano, and serves as the strength and conditioning coach for the Thunderduck basketball team.