05/29/2026
It’s always a wonderful occasion when Steve shares dinner and awards with a group of exceptional athletes who are set to graduate this year. Our office has partnered with Real People Educating Others (RPEO), a nonprofit organization led by PJ Piggott and Reneldo Randall, since our first full year in 2017, focusing on initiatives such as book bag drives for local schools. In 2025, in honor of the renowned track and football coach Mel Jones, RPEO and Steve joined forces to establish a scholarship in his memory.
To provide some context, Coach Mel Jones dedicated an impressive 46 years to teaching and coaching at Lafayette High School. During his tenure, he achieved an astounding record in track and field, leading the Lafayette Rams to an impressive 47 district championships, 20 regional championships, and five state championships. His peers recognized his excellence with multiple Coach of the Year awards, including six selections by the Peninsula District Coaches Association for boys and girls indoor/outdoor track. He also received accolades from the Peninsula Sports Club in 1985, the Virginia High School Coaches Association in 2004, and the Bay Rivers District in 2009.
Following his retirement, Coach Jones continued to make an impact by coaching Running Backs at Virginia Union and later at Hampton University. Among the notable athletes he mentored are Ron Springs (NFL – Dallas Cowboys), Lawrence Taylor (NFL – New York Giants), Mel Gray (NFL – Houston/Tennessee Oilers and Detroit Lions), Seneca Lassiter (Nike Track and Field), Chris Luzar (NFL - Jacksonville Jaguars), and Terrance Martin (NFL – Houston Texans). In 1995, he was honored as a finalist for the NFL High School Coach of the Year.
This year, we received a number of applications for the scholarship, and an independent selection committee awarded four deserving student-athletes scholarships of up to $3,000 each. The selection criteria included academic achievement, leadership qualities, community involvement, and athletic excellence.