Every institution has its leaders and legends and at Western New England University, Coach Arthur William “Red” Downes embodies both. After 50 years of coaching Golden Bear teams, including 33 years at the helm of the men’s golf team, Coach Downes retired this May. At the 2018 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, President Anthony S. Caprio honored Coach Downes with a President’s Medallion. Downes’ final season at Western New England was a memorable one, as he led the Golden Bears to their fourth CCC title and third appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship.

Coach Downes joined the University in 1968 and advanced through the athletics and academic ranks. He resurrected the varsity golf program in the 1980s and built it into one of the strongest Division III programs in the region. In addition to golf, he coached soccer, basketball, and baseball while serving as Professor of Physical Education until retiring from the faculty in 2000, when he was named Professor Emeritus. He was one of the first inductees into the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame, which now bears his name.

At a ceremony in July, Trustee Mike Flynn ’82/G’83 and members of the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame also honored Coach Downes for his 50 years of coaching and dedication to Golden Bear athletics. Flynn has created a giving challenge, pledging to match up to $10,000 of gifts donated to a fund created in the coach’s honor.