BASKETBALL • 1961-63

Dave Downey showed incredible leadership on the floor, in the classroom, and later, in his professional career. A member of the Illinois All-Century basketball team, he set the Illini single-game scoring record of 53 points at Indiana in 1963, which still stands. Downey helped lead Illinois to the 1963 Big Ten championship, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors that year after being named second-team All-Big Ten in both 1961 and 1962. He also earned first-team All-America honors from the Helms Foundation in 1963. Downey was the Illini team MVP all three seasons on the varsity and earned Illinois’ Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1963. His 18.9 career scoring average ranks fourth in school history, and his 11.0 career rebounding average ranks third in UI history. He finished his time at Illinois as the school’s career leader in points (1,360) and rebounds (790). During a long and distinguished professional business career, Downey has served on numerous leadership boards, including the UI Board of Trustees. Downey currently resides in Champaign.