Jon Smith Director of Jenison Field House Athletic Performance | Michigan State Spartan Athletics Website
Jon Smith Director of Jenison Field House Athletic Performance | Michigan State Spartan Athletics Website
The Spartan hockey community is mourning the loss of Dr. John Downs, who passed away in June.
Dr. Downs served as the team physician for the hockey program for 22 years. He was recognized not only as a skilled clinician for hundreds of Spartan players but also as a beloved teacher and mentor to thousands of students and colleagues, including longtime athletic trainer Dave Carrier and current team physician Dr. Robert Norris.
Dr. Downs held the position of Professor of Maxillofacial Surgery in the Department of Surgical Specialties within both the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University (MSU). In addition to his private practice, he co-founded MSU's Division of Sports Medicine and served as Medical Director for the Center for Study of Elite Athletes at MSU.
In honor of his contributions, upon his retirement, the Spartan hockey program named its annual Best Defensive Player Award after Dr. Downs. NHL players Mike Weaver, Corey Potter, Jeff Petry, and Torey Krug have all received this award multiple times since its renaming.
The services for Dr. Downs were private.
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