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 Baseball Player Inducted in 2004 Craig Downs was an outstanding baseball pitcher for UVSC in 1979 and 1980. His 1980 season was the best ever recorded in Wolverine baseball history, as he went 9-0 with a 3.26 earned-run average. In 1979 he was 6-3 with a 2.26 earned-run average. His 15-3 career record is the fourth best in UVSC history. He is third on UVSC's career win list with 15, and third in career complete games with 14. He had a career earned-run average under 3.00 (2.98), and earned All-Conference and All-Region honors. In 1980 he received NJCAA honorable-mention All-America recognition. Downs came to UVSC after an illustrious high school and youth baseball career. He played football and baseball at Hillcrest High in Midvale, Utah. He made the varsity football team as a sophomore at quarterback, but finished as a starting free safety his senior season. In baseball he was a two-year starter for the Huskies, and helped the Hillcrest American Legion team win the State title in 1976. His senior year he was selected to the American Legion All-Star team. He also helped his team win the Utah Babe Ruth State Championship his freshman year, and the Western Boys Baseball Association state title as a 12-year old. After leaving UVSC, Downs signed a letter of intent to pitch for the University of Utah in 1980. But he left to serve a two-year LDS Church mission in Winnipeg, Canada, and upon his return went to Utah State University. He earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Health at Utah State, then later completed a master's degree in the same field. At Utah State, Downs met his wife, the former Sandi North of Cottonwood Heights. The couple now resides in Alpine Utah. They have four children: Dallas (16), Sarah (14), and Michael (12) and Jacob (7). Sandi graduated from Brighton High School, then went on to get a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Utah State. Craig continues to be active in the baseball world. He co-coaches the Lone Peak Knights, an area 11 and 12-year-old Super-League team. He also coaches an Alpine Youth Baseball League majors team (11-12 year-olds), and serves as the field commissioner for the league. Professionally Downs has been employed by the Jordan School District for 19 years. He teaches health and physical education at Elkridge Middle School in South Jordan, Utah. |
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Utah Valley State College Athletics Hall of Fame
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