All things being equal, August 26 should have been a big night for two reasons for Travis Jones. While it turned out okay, it was not as he envisioned years ago when his son Cam started playing football in the Bridgeport system.

 

For starters, for those who may not know, the game against Buckhannon-Upshur was the start of the 30^th season behind the microphone for Jones as the “Voice of the Indians.” Anyone who has listened, knows he has more than earned the moniker.

 

Let me be clear for those who have only listened to Travis Jones calling a game and may believe what they are listening to is the norm. He is the exception rather than the rule.

 

The BHS game broadcasts are well above high end. They come with a high-level college or even professional feel thanks to the preparedness of Jones and his crew, as well as Jones’ own unique talents in calling games.

 

While he was aware Friday was his 30^th year, he was also aware his son Cameron was not going to play in the game. He was in his uniform and on the sidelines, but he did not play, and he will not play.

 

The younger Jones has had surgery for deformation to his hip joints as well as hernias that officially ended his playing days after missing all of his junior season. The surgeries and the possibility not only ended Cam Jones’ chances to play but ended his father’s desire to call his senior year games.

 

“That was tough, and I knew it would be tough,” said Jones. “The way Cameron has carried himself has made it tolerable. Still, you wish he had that chance.”

 

Jones admitted as much as he would give for things to be different, he ended up not having to deal with something he was afraid could be an issue.

 

“It’s conflicting for me because in some ways I was such an emotional wreck calling the games his sophomore years when he would get in,” said Jones. “It’s hard to concentrate and do your job and try to be as neutral and be right down the middle when it comes to you kid and also not try to focus on him when he’s on the field. Again, I would have gladly dealt with that.”

 

Cameron Jones may not have played the first Friday or in this past Friday’s game with Morgantown, but he was involved. In fact, during the home opener Travis Jones said he was pleasantly surprised to see something happening.

 

“He was selected as a captain, which is a great honor,” said Jones, who was told later the locker room erupted when Coach Tyler Phares announced Jones as captain. “I think that helped because (August 26) was the last hurdle and the hurdle was bittersweet. I know he’ll have a few more tough moments, like on senior night, but there are a lot of big days to look forward to in his senior year. As for football, when this comes to an end with him helping with whatever he can on the sidelines, we hope if there are tears, they are tears of joy.”

 

When talking to Jones today about the program, his son, or anything to do with Bridgeport High School, he confidently addresses the situation. It was not the same when he started 30 years, Sept. 3, 1993, in New Martinsville for a game with Magnolia.

 

“I know we lost, 20-0, but the whole game was such a blur that I came out thinking I did a horrible job and probably did,” said Jones. “I had not done football in a few years and had been doing music on the radio when I started.”

 

Jones had another concern. He was an outsider.

 

“The year before, (the late Bridgeport educator Phil) Sonny Nicewarner was doing the games and he was entrenched in the community,” said Jones. “I did wonder how I was going to be accepted and wondered how long it would take to get comfortable.”

 

It is safe to say Jones has long been accepted. It is equally safe to say he is comfortable behind the microphone. That comfort has led Jones to call hundreds of games in football and plenty more across other BHS sports spectrums.

 

Before getting there, he said he took a good piece of advice from his first color commentator in 1993.

 

“I’m pretty sure it was that first year, but Jim Dodrill was doing color at the time and during a break he asked me if I ever had my eyes checked. He told me I was getting all of the numbers wrong,” said Jones. “I ended up getting my eyes checked and that was when I first realized I needed glasses.”

 

Since then, he has had perfect vision to see and be part of a lot. He remembers very clearly the first three years the legendary Coach Wayne Jamison didn’t speak to him.

 

“We had to interview (assistant Coach) Richard Iaquinta,” said Jones. “What was nice, as he reached retirement and then after, he always made it a habit to stop by the booth to speak to Tim (Brady) and Ryan (Nicewarner). I guess we earned his acceptance, which truthfully felt good.”

 

As for the best game Jones ever called in a non-playoff setting, it is the same one yours truly called the best he ever witnessed.

 

“It was the 2000 game in Clarksburg against (Robert C.) Byrd,” said Jones. “The buildup was there, the hype was there, both teams were undefeated. It was just a perfect setup and it delivered.

 

“Probably the best crowd ever at one of their games as both teams were undefeated with state title expectations,” Jones continued on the then ‘AA’ Indians and the ‘AAA’ Eagles. “It ended 7-6 with a blocked extra point the difference.”

 

As for the postseason, it seems like an obvious one.

 

“The 14-13 win over Wayne in the (2013) state title game is hard to top,” said Jones. “That game is, postseason or regular season, top two or three I’ve watched.”

 

He has also called a few games that were hard to deal with. The 1995 game, also at New Martinsville, is one he immediately remembers.

 

“The Dan McNamee game (where he was left paralyzed) was one that was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Reading the room, you could tell it wasn’t a normal injury by the way and urgency of handling things,” he said. “Leaving the stadium that night you had a feeling it wasn’t going to be good. It had a long-term impact, but fortunately in time it turned into an uplifting thing because of the sheer will of Dan. Seeing what he has become, as a professional and as a husband, just as a man, has been spectacular.”

 

Football wise, the choice also seems like one many others would select that have followed the team.

 

“Usually, losses don’t bother me, but the Class AA semifinal double overtime loss (22-21) to Fairmont Senior bothered me the offseason all the way through the winter months,” said Jones. “They busted up an opportunity to win four straight championships.

 

“The two-point conversion (that Fairmont Senior won on in the second OT) was hotly debated as to whether the ball broke the plane,” he continued. “Eventually, you saw it on film, and it did. It was the right call, but it was hard knowing the title run had come to an end.”

 

As for an end for Jones who now has three decades under his belt calling games?

 

“I’m going to be around for a while,” said Jones. “I’ll probably die here.”

 

Let me feel safe in speaking on behalf of Bridgeport’s followers while you’re still breathing: Congrats on 30 years. Thirty more would not be a bad thing.

 

Editor's Note: Top two photos, including second shot of Cameron Jones as captain during the BHS-Buckhannon-Upshur game, by Joe LaRocca. In the third photo his is shown with his longest group in the press box, Ryan Nicewarner, middle, and Tim Brady, while in the fourth photo is a file shot of Jones calling the action. Bottom photo shows Jones with Cameron at this year's media day in a photo by Joey Signorelli and ran with permission of Ben Queen Photography.