Clayton State University Athletics

It is no stretch of the imagination to say that Dr. Harry S. Downs is perhaps the most important person in the 47-year history of Clayton State University and it is a certainty that without his leadership, Laker Athletics would not exist as we know it today.
 
The founding president of then Clayton Junior College in February 1969, Downs served in 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 founding 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 78-percent voting for the inception of intercollegiate athletics.
 
In September of 1989, Dr. Downs hired Mason H. Barfield as the Director of Athletics and head men's basketball coach. It would be a tremendous move as Barfield would go on to serve athletics for more than 20 years and become a member of the Clayton State Athletics Hall of Fame himself. Downs and Barfield laid out a five-year plan to ensure the growth of the department and the results cannot be denied.
 
In the years since Dr. Downs left Clayton State in 1994, the Lakers made the move to the NCAA, added nine more sports and have achieved unprecedented success. Among the accomplishments he made possible were 57 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, 11 Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championships, 14 PBC Tournament titles and 55 All-Americans. The crowning achievement from what started with his backing a student lead movement in 1987 – Clayton State women's basketball claiming the 2010-11 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.

Dr. Harry S. Downs Induction Speech


Dr. Harry S. Downs Induction Presentation




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