MORROW, Ga. – One of the most influential individuals in the creation and tremendous success of Clayton State University, founding president Dr. Harry S. Downs, has passed away at the age of 91 on January 3.
 
He was inducted into the Clayton State Athletics Hall of Fame on February 19, 2016 for his vision and efforts in bringing intercollegiate athletics to then Clayton State College in 1990.
 
Not only was Dr. Downs the founding president of then Clayton Junior College in February 1969, he was instrumental in the institution coming into existence, and in selecting its current scenic location. While working for the Board of Regents in the mid 1960's, Downs was responsible for selecting sites for a handful of junior colleges.
 
Upon the completion of the final one of those institutions, what would eventually become Clayton State University, Downs was asked to serve as president of that newest institution of higher learning in the State of Georgia. He would hold that role until January 1994 and guided the institution through many landmark moments.
 
Those included the opening of its doors in September of 1969, the construction of five new buildings (three within the first 12 years), its elevation to four-year status as Clayton State College in July of 1986, the addition of numerous academic programs and the beginnings of the  Athletics Department in 1987.
 
Under the guidance of Dean of Students Bo Bolander and Student Life Director Rob Taylor, a group of students led the charge to add intercollegiate athletics to the Clayton State campus. An idea that was fully endorsed by Dr. Downs, this movement grew into a committee of students, faculty and staff which presented a final plan to the campus. That plan was voted on by the entire student body, with an impressive 78-percent voting for the inception of intercollegiate athletics.
 
Even with the hiring of Mason H. Barfield as Director of Athletics and head men's basketball coach in September of 1989, Dr. Downs made sure that the focus remained firmly where it belonged, then and throughout his tenure.
 
"Our principle responsibility is to the students who participate in these programs," said Downs just prior to the inaugural 1990-91 campaign. "Their performance in academic programs and progress towards earning a college degree are and shall remain our first priority."
 
And so it has as that has continued to be part of his legacy, with hundreds of Laker student-athletes earning their degrees, along with numerous academic awards, while also making Clayton State Athletics one of the more successful programs in the Southeast Region.
 
In the years since Dr. Downs left Clayton State in 1994, the Lakers made the move from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 1997, added nine more sports and have achieved unprecedented success.
 
Among the accomplishments he made possible were 60 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, 11 Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championships, 14 PBC Tournament titles and 72 All-Americans. The crowning achievement from what started with his backing a student lead movement in 1987 was Clayton State women's basketball claiming the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship – the first in Laker history.
 
Every Clayton State student, student-athlete, faculty member, staff member and Lakers fan – past, present and future - owes Dr. Harry S. Downs a debt of gratitude. Without his vision and direction, Clayton State Athletics may not have existed and certainly would not have grown to its current level of national prominence.
 
"We want to be the best at what we are doing at Clayton before we look for ways to change," said Downs early in his tenure. "I don't want to see change just for the sake of change."
 
Judging by that guiding principle and the enormous amount of positive change during and as a result of his presidency, Dr. Harry S. Downs made sure that Clayton State was always being the best at what it was doing, and in the process, affected change for generations of individuals.
 
A native of Conyers, Georgia, Dr. Downs was born on October 5, 1925 and passed away on January 3, 2017. A service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, January 7 at 11 a.m. at the Conyers Presbyterian Church on 911 North Main Street in Conyers.