Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Hockey Mourns the Loss of Dr. John Downs
7/2/2024 3:59:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
East Lansing, Mich. -- The Spartan hockey family mourns the passing of Dr. John Downs in June.
Obituary - Dr. John Downs
Dr. Downs spent 22 years as the team physician for the hockey program, not only a caring, gifted clinician for hundreds of Spartan players, but also a beloved teacher and mentor to thousands of students and colleagues – including both longtime athletic trainer Dave Carrier and current team physician Dr. Robert Norris.
Dr. Downs was a Professor of Maxillofacial Surgery in the Department of Surgical Specialties in the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Human Medicine. Although he continued his private practice, he was also heavily involved at Michigan State University where he was the Co-Founder of the Division of Sports Medicine, and Medical Director for the Center for Study of Elite Athletes at Michigan State.
Upon his retirement, the Spartan hockey program named the team's annual Best Defensive Player Award for its longtime physician, with NHL'ers Mike Weaver, Corey Potter, Jeff Petry, and Torey Krug all capturing the prestigious award multiple times in their careers since its renaming.
The services for Dr. Downs were private.
Obituary - Dr. John Downs
Dr. Downs spent 22 years as the team physician for the hockey program, not only a caring, gifted clinician for hundreds of Spartan players, but also a beloved teacher and mentor to thousands of students and colleagues – including both longtime athletic trainer Dave Carrier and current team physician Dr. Robert Norris.
Dr. Downs was a Professor of Maxillofacial Surgery in the Department of Surgical Specialties in the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Human Medicine. Although he continued his private practice, he was also heavily involved at Michigan State University where he was the Co-Founder of the Division of Sports Medicine, and Medical Director for the Center for Study of Elite Athletes at Michigan State.
Upon his retirement, the Spartan hockey program named the team's annual Best Defensive Player Award for its longtime physician, with NHL'ers Mike Weaver, Corey Potter, Jeff Petry, and Torey Krug all capturing the prestigious award multiple times in their careers since its renaming.
The services for Dr. Downs were private.
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