As I remember it, Dave's business was plenty more than just insurance. His Champaign office was large; several rooms and employees. I THINK he also held a law degree from U of I, but can't confirm that. Memory is a little too hazy for things that happened more than 60 years ago. As for basketball, the thing I'll always remember is how he could play any position on the court. A face-up game at any level, and back to the basket high post, just like in h.s. I often wonder how high the 53 point game would climb had there been three point shots. That came much later.
Dave Downey has passed away
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What court in Canton was recently named for him? We visited Canton this fall, my daughter will play there next year. My wife was reading there is a separate gym that was funded by a prominent business woman, then I assume there is a high school gym, as well as the one at SRC, just curious if it was one of these or a different court.
I'm from Canton. It was called Alice Ingersoll Gymnasium.I believe it was built in the 30's. I played it many times growing up. By the way, I own a construction company and we built the gymnasium for Spoon River College.
Awesome story. I admire our posters' candor and openness in sharing history such as this. It provides a lot of admiration for Mr. Downey and the Illinois legacy so it can be passed on to others, thank you.
As Lee wrote, Ingersoll is a separate gym/building (from the school) - located right across from the Hospital. It was only weeks ago it was dedicated to Downey.
I have always been a huge Downey fan. One of my favorite Illini. But Bob Starnes hit the 3/4 court shot that beat Northwestern in 1963. Incidently, Starnes was the only one of the top 6 players on that team who wasn't eventually drafted by the NBA.
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