Role model’s death teaches all a lesson
By Daily Bruin Staff
June 9, 1996 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 9, 1996
I vividly recall the last day of my sophomore year at UCLA, and
it wasn’t because a white Ford Bronco with an American icon inside
was being chased down the 405 freeway.
No, the thing I recall most about that day was when my mother
made a shocking revelation to me about what had occurred at home in
San Diego the night before.
"Willie Jones was killed last night," my mother said.
At first, since I never really knew Willie on a personal level,
I had trouble registering the name, let alone a face.
"Who?," I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Then, my mother simply handed me a copy of the San Diego
Union-Tribune and I recognized the face. As my mind was suddenly
flooded with memories, I couldn’t help but remember the name.
You see, Willie Jones III was the epitome of the word "prodigy,"
not only on the wrestling mat, where he excelled even as a
sophomore when I last had the pleasure of actually watching him
work, but in all other areas of his life as well.
His father, Willie Jones Jr., had built out of relative
obscurity a competitive wrestling program at Lincoln High School,
in the heart of San Diego’s inner city. Lincoln had an abundance of
athletic talent. The 1977 CIF player of the year in football,
Marcus Allen, is among its notable alumni.
Under the tutelage of the elder Jones, Lincoln wrestlers now
regularly qualify for the state meet.
His son was his living legacy.
Willie Jones had placed at the state meet his senior year at
Lincoln, but that praiseworthy accomplishment paled in comparison
to his feats off the mat.
Due to his outstanding academic record, he had given the
school’s valedictorian speech the day before his death. Hoping to
become a doctor, he had worked as an intern for two summers at
Scripps Hospital. He would be fulfilling his lifelong dream of
wrestling at an Ivy League university, nationally ranked
Cornell.
The day after his high school graduation, this popular young man
attended a graduation party with parents and friends. Trouble
showed up in the form of alleged gang members, and Willie Jones,
the kid who everyone knew, was asked to mediate. He asked the
uninvited guests to leave, and as expected, they cooperated.
As Willie himself left the party, a gunshot ripped through his
shoulder, extinguishing this flame of unlimited potential. He died
hours later.
In 10 days, UCLA will be a memory to me and as I contemplate
what problems and challenges face not only myself, but our changing
society in general, I can’t help but think of Willie Jones. As
Americans, we have to stop pointing the finger at one another and
calling these challenges "their problem" or "their responsibility."
We need leaders who will break the chains of racial and economic
stratification and rise up above them to credit not only "their
people" and "their community," but those that are a credit to our
nation as a whole. We need people like Willie Jones III.
This story wasn’t just meant to be a parable of how to live your
life and pursue your dreams, rather, it was also a warning not to
take even one second of precious life for granted.
As college students, it’s easy to get caught up in how uncertain
and difficult life seems. It’s not that bad. If someone is dear to
you, then tell them that you love them as often as you can. You may
not get another chance.
Along those lines, I thank all of my friends, both back home and
here at UCLA for all the support they have given me the past four
years. Especially this year, I would like to thank my significant
other  you know who you are  for being there when I
needed you most. I appreciate it.
Finally I want to thank my family, immediate and extended, for
believing in me, and particularly my parents who have made
monumental sacrifices for me throughout my life, especially during
my years at UCLA.
And remember: Live every single day as if it were your last and
chase your dreams with a single-minded fervor, and life will never,
ever let you down.
Ruben Gutierrez would like to thank the UCLA men’s volleyball
team for finally giving him a national championship beat to
cover.
