St. Francis coach taken to hospital due to 'stroke-like symptoms'

WASHINGTON -- St. Francis, Pa., basketball coach Bobby Jones remained hospitalized Wednesday after he had stroke-like symptoms following his team's loss to American University a night earlier.

Jones, 44, was scheduled to stay at Sibley Memorial Hospital and undergo testing on Thursday, St. Francis sports information director Bob Volkert said. Jones was listed in good condition and has been improving, Volkert said.

Jones was admitted for "observation of stroke-like symptoms," Volkert said, but added it wasn't clear what caused Jones to fall ill Tuesday night. Jones' status for Thursday's home game against Central Connecticut State was uncertain.

"Our primary focus is on Bobby's health and his well-being. We are appreciative of the care he has received at Sibley Memorial, as well as with the assistance we received from American University," athletic director Bob Krimmel said.

Jones was taken to the hospital following the Red Flash's 73-63 loss on Tuesday night. He felt sick early during the game and doctors determined that his blood pressure was high, Volkert said. Jones missed several minutes of the second half, but finished the game on the bench before he was taken to the hospital on a stretcher.

Jones, who played at Western Kentucky from 1980-82, was the associate head coach at Minnesota before coming to St. Francis, in Loretto, Pa., eight years ago.