Longtime athletic director helped lead unprecedented competitive and academic success while making student-athlete development the measure of his legacy
Steve Downing, whose 16 years as Marian University’s director of athletics have been defined by national championships, academic achievement, program growth, and a commitment to developing student-athletes, will retire at the end of the 2026–27 academic year.
Downing has led Marian Athletics since 2011, overseeing a period of unprecedented competitive and academic success. During his tenure, the Knights have captured 10 NAIA national championships in five sports, and Marian cyclists have won nearly 50 USA Cycling national championships. Since the 2011–12 academic year, Marian student-athletes have also earned 1,439 NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors.
“Steve Downing and his wife, Doris, a Marian alumna, have been outstanding leaders in the Marian University community,” said Marian University President Daniel J. Elsener. “Steve has been highly successful in ensuring that Marian University’s investment in intercollegiate athletics provides an outstanding ‘laboratory of character and leadership development.’ Few athletic directors in America, if any, can match the number of conference and national championships won under Steve’s 16 years of leadership at Marian.”
Yet when Downing reflects on more than five decades in athletics, he doesn’t consider championships his greatest accomplishment.
“The most important thing to me is knowing I made a difference in young people’s lives. That’s what I came here for,” Downing said. “You can write about the wins and losses, but for me, it’s the people I’ve helped.”
Downing said his approach was shaped by the people who helped him earlier in his life.
“If somebody didn’t step up to help me along the way, then I’m not sitting here talking to you,” he said. “When you get a chance to help somebody, you need to step up. That’s what I’ve tried to do.”
For Downing, one of the most meaningful measures of that impact comes each year at commencement.
“On graduation day, a number of kids come up and hug me. They don’t say anything; they just hug me and thank me,” Downing said. “That’s as good as it gets. That’s my reward.”
Dr. Kenith Britt, Ph.D., Marian University’s chief operating officer and chancellor, said Downing’s ability to combine competitive excellence with a commitment to student development has defined his leadership.
“Steve Downing has been among the best leaders I've had the privilege of working with in my career,” Britt said. “From the beginning, Steve's focus has been on the ‘student’ portion of the student-athlete and running Marian University like an NCAA Division I athletics program. Over the last 16 years, he has continuously delivered in both areas, as evidenced by the excellent coaches he's hired, the number of national championships, enrollment and retention growth, and graduating transformational leaders in service to the world.”
Downing’s connection to Indianapolis athletics began long before his arrival at Marian. He was a member of the undefeated 1969 Indianapolis Washington High School basketball team that won the Indiana state championship. He continued his playing career at Indiana University, where he earned Big Ten Most Valuable Player honors in 1973 and helped lead the Hoosiers to the Final Four. A first-round NBA draft pick, Downing went on to play for the Boston Celtics and was a member of the franchise’s 1974 NBA championship team.
Downing later returned to Indiana University, where he spent 22 years in athletics administration before joining Texas Tech University as senior associate director of athletics. He served at Texas Tech for 10 years before returning to Indianapolis to lead Marian Athletics in 2011.
At Marian, Downing has emphasized academic support alongside athletic performance, including implementing study tables and strengthening assistance for student-athletes considered academically at risk. He has also overseen continued development of the athletics program and the addition of new varsity sports during his tenure.
Despite the attention that will accompany his final year, Downing said he wants the focus to remain on Marian’s coaches and student-athletes.
“What I don’t want it to be about is me,” Downing said. “I don’t want to take away from coaches and what they’re trying to do. They’re trying to win a championship. They’re trying to get their kids through school.”
After retiring, Downing said he looks forward to traveling, returning to golf, and spending more time with his six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Downing will continue serving as director of athletics throughout the 2026–27 academic year, providing continuity for Marian Athletics while giving the university community opportunities to recognize a career whose impact can be measured both in championships and in the lives of the student-athletes he helped guide.
Media Availability
Steve Downing will be available for media interviews on Thursday, August 20, at 11 a.m. in the Hall of Champions at Marian University. Members of the media interested in attending should contact Drew Sandifer, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, at asandifer@marian.edu