Steve Downing will retire as Marian University athletic director at the end of the 2026-27 academic year. The Knights became a powerhouse in many NAIA sports and in cycling during Downing's tenure, which will end after 16 years.
"The most important thing to me is knowing I made a difference in young people's lives," Downing said in a university release. "You can write about the wins and losses, but for me, it's the people I've helped. … On graduation day, a number of kids come up and hug me. They don't say anything; they just hug me and thank me. That's as good as it gets. That's my reward."
The Knights have won 125 team conference championships with more than 200 individual national champions during Downing's time at Marian.
Downing played alongside Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer George McGinnis on the undefeated 1969 Washington High School team, three seasons at Indiana and briefly for the NBA's Boston Celtics. Downing worked in IU's athletic department for more than 20 years, and is a member of the Indiana High School Basketball and IU Athletics halls of fame.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Former Indiana basketball player Steve Downing to retire as Marian athletic director
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