Head coach Bob Biggs regularly reviews the grades of his UC Davis football team. And he is accustomed to seeing the kind of academic achievements that have enabled some of his players to go on to earn medical degrees or doctorates.

Even so, defensive lineman Christopher Jones stood out.

Only one B+ interrupted all those A's. By Jones' third year with the team, internships with hospitals were showing up on his record. And then there was the tutoring program he started for fellow student-athletes. "It just blew me away," the coach said. "I started to become acutely aware … 'Boy, this guy is something.'"

Others agree. The university is now recognizing the 23-year-old Stockton native — bound for medical school this fall — with three awards, including its highest honor for the outstanding graduating senior. The gold University Medal, which comes with a $2,000 honorarium from the Cal Aggie Alumni Association, recognizes scholastic excellence as well as superior achievement in all areas of university life.

"That one of our football players won this award reinforces the philosophy of what the UC Davis intercollegiate athletics program is all about," said Biggs, noting the campus's transition to Division I status in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. "They can be competitive and play to win and earn a degree with meaning that provides opportunity over and above playing athletics."

Other accolades

Jones, who was awarded a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and molecular biology in December, will receive the University Medal and the $500 V. Glen Winslow Jr. Award, as the most outstanding graduating man, during commencement ceremonies for the Division of Biological Sciences on June 17. Previously, he was presented with the W.P. Lindley Award for achievement in scholastics, athletics and leadership during Cal Aggie Athletic Hall of Fame ceremonies held June 4.

Already much decorated for scholarship, athletics, community service, character and leadership during his time at UC Davis, Jones was named last fall to ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-America Football Second Team in the University Division for his commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

Without a father's influence during his childhood, Jones was raised by his mother and grandmother in rough neighborhoods in Stockton. He said they pushed him to make the most of his opportunities for education and to stay out of trouble.

At a young age, Jones watched his older brother, Philip, struggle with health problems, and he became interested in a career in medicine. "That gave me the initial emotional spark," he said. His brother died recently, and Jones is dedicating his pursuit of higher education to him.

'Football made it easier'

An avid football player at St. Mary's High School, Jones said he chose to attend UC Davis "based on the coaches' dedication to maintaining the 'student' in student-athlete." He was a member of the Aggies' traveling squad for four years and earned a starting position in his senior year.

The student-athlete, who earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.95, said he studied three to four hours each day. He made the most of his breaks between classes and had his nose in the books while traveling for away games. "It was a pretty structured life, but I think football made it easier because I knew I didn't have much time to mess around," he said.

Other UC Davis student-athletes who went on to attend graduate and professional schools inspired Jones, and a friendly rivalry with defensive end Kent Sheridan helped keep him sharp on the field and in academics.

"Chris has never taken a shortcut," said Professor Louis Grivetti, who saw Jones excel in two of his classes in the nutrition department. "Chris Jones is a gifted student, dedicated to his studies, to helping others," he said. "Chris Jones represents the very best students we train."

A tutor and mentor

Jones' résumé includes internships and research with hospitals, study in Spain and Australia, volunteer activities with the UC Davis football team, service as a tutor and teaching assistant, and employment maintaining the computer network for an apartment complex.

Jones said he never accepted that he had learned something until he could explain it to someone else. So when he saw that fellow athletes had a hard time accessing the tutoring services of the Learning Skills Center between classes and practices, he started Athletes Dedicated to Success in 2002. Through the program, student-athletes provide one-on-one tutoring to their peers for specific majors and courses.

"This program has been crucial for our athletes," Biggs said, "and it gave them specific help beyond the generic study hall environment" required by the NCAA.

Fred Arp, who worked closely with Jones as his position coach, said the player became a mentor — on and off the field — to younger players. "Everything Chris does he wants to do as well as he can," Arp said. "He works hard. He made us work hard."

Jones will begin medical studies at UC San Francisco this fall and has his sights set on becoming an anesthesiologist. "I've always strived to use my God-given talents to help others," he said. "I'm just a person trying to make the most of my life."