SAINTS COACH DOWNEY HONORED BY ILLINOIS COACHES ASSOCIATION

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2007

JOLIET, Ill. -- University of St. Francis head men’s golf coach Paul Downey has been named as one of three recipients of the 2007 Meritorious Service Award from the Illinois Coaches Association. Downey was presented the award at the 28th annual ICA Golf Clinic and 12th Golf Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies last weekend in Bloomington, Ill.

Downey just completed his 12th season as head coach at USF. In those dozen seasons, he has led the Saints to 11 Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Golf Conference championships and 10 NIIGC tournament titles.

Prior to coming to USF as an assistant coach in the spring of 1995, Downey was the head coach at Joliet West. During his time there (1987-1993), he had an individual and/or team qualify for the sectional tournament each year. He also had one player qualify for the state tournament and his 1992 team went undefeated in the SICA West Conference. Downey began his coaching career in 1982 as an assistant at Joliet East.