NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State head men's basketball coach Robert Jones is a nominee for the Best Coach Award as part of the Hampton Roads Encore! Awards ceremony set to take place this July.
 
Voting is now open at www.EncoreAwardsShow.com for Best Coach and numerous other award categories. Winners in each category are selected based solely off total voting tallies. The deadline to vote is May 31.
 
Jones is one of six nominees for the Best Coach Award. Hampton University's Edward Joyner Jr. (men's basketball) and David Six (women's basketball) are also nominated for the award, along with high school coaches Paul Hall (Western Branch boys basketball), Chris Scott (Oscar Smith football) and Brian Rountree (Lakeland track & field).
 
The Encore! Awards highlights a variety of groups, individuals and organizations throughout Hampton Roads who have given back to their communities. Musicians, teachers, civic leaders, media personalities, churches, colleges, and more will all be honored for their success and achievements.
 
The awards show is set for July 25 at 5 p.m. at the Hampton Roads Convention Center at 1610 Coliseum Drive in the city of Hampton. Early bird tickets are on sale now through the aforementioned website. Tickets are $25 for general admission or $35 for VIP. A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.
 
Jones recently completed his seventh season as the head coach of the Norfolk State men's basketball program. He has compiled a 125-111 overall record, including 84-28 in MEAC play. The Spartans finished 12-4 and tied for second in the league this year, as well as 16-15 overall.