Get to Know Your MI501st :: August, 2012

Scott Jones
Legion ID: 3824
Joined January, 2009

Scott was eight years old when Star Wars was released. He really doesn't remember the hype about going to the show. “I do remember that my brother and I got some action figures (R2-D2, Chewbacca, Ben and Darth Vader) from our grandmother. Who knew that collection would still be growing after 35 years”, says Scott.

Lightspeed a few years forward and Scott went to a Red Wings Alumni hockey game in Fraser and the 501st were there. “I asked about the costumes and what they were all about and I was hooked. You’re telling me I can dress up like that all year, not just Halloween? I'm in!” Scott says. After joining the group in January of 2009 he then found out about all the great work the 501st Legion does for charities and the community. Scott says, “This gave the costuming a focus and created a goal”. He thinks that everyone else that does this would agree, seeing the looks on the kids’ faces is priceless!

Scott has trooped over 30 events since joining the club. When asked if he has a favorite event he says it is hard to pick. “I would say it would be between the Weird Al concert at the Fox Theater and Star Wars Night at Commerica Park. The Fox Theater is such a cool place. Back stage, the walls are covered with the signatures of the bands and comedians that have played there. It is a completely different perspective looking out from the stage. Star Wars Night with the Tigers was also incredible. I got to be on top of the dugout for the 7th inning stretch! Getting up and down was a huge challenge in a Stormtrooper costume, but it was way worth it! Someone got a great photo of me with the scoreboard in the background. You sometimes see it on the Tours of Duty page”.

Joining the Legion has changed Scott’s life. “I think being in the group has brought out my creativity and stoked my passion for art”, he says. Scott has always loved to draw, paint and sculpt. “After I got out of school I think I lost some of that passion but when I joined the 501st I had to put together my costume which involved forming plastic, painting and some sewing and my creative passion was reborn”. While attending the Motor City Comic Con Scott visited the artist section. “I would think I can do that, I just need to apply myself”, says Scott. He has been sketching again and is very happy doing it. He also created the new logo for Shadow Squadron (The Great Lakes Base Rebel pilots group) and a patch for the Star Wars Night at Commerica Park.

When Scott is not keeping an eye out for Jedi, he works as a graphic designer in the sign business for which he has been doing for the last 22 years. He currently works at the Rochester Sign Shop in Rochester. Scott says, “It's a lot of fun. I am always working on something different. We just did the new Viper Plant sign for the Connor plant. It is pretty neat driving around and actually seeing your work”!

Scott also is a collector (understatement). He mostly collects Star Wars items and sports memorabilia, but he will pick up anything that catches his eye. “I need to finish my basement so I have somewhere to display some of the items”, says Scott. He also likes camping and scuba.

Scott is married to his lovely wife Tracy and they twin 6 year olds Alex & MacKenzie. Scott says, “They are all very supportive of everything I do. The kids love Star Wars and Tracy is even working on a couple of costumes”.

View Scott's profile...