William J. Downey

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Mr. William J. Downey was born in Nanticoke but lived most of his life in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania.  He credits his parents for introducing him to various sporting events throughout the Wyoming Valley and surrounding areas, especially football, basketball, and baseball.  After graduating from Northwest Area High School in 1970, Mr. Downey became engaged in what turned out to be a fifty-year journey as a P.I.A.A. official.  Two major influences on him to pursue officiating were legendary coach Eddie Gayeski and Tiger Denoy.

Officiating is an integral part of all athletic events and demands commitment, integrity, and dedication.  Mr. Downey strived to uphold these qualities throughout his tenure on the football gridiron, basketball court, and baseball diamond. He often claimed that “officiating is not done in isolation; it requires a collective support effort among all officials involved during the game.”  However, he believed his greatest support network revolved around his wife Carol (since deceased) and his long-time companion Donna Evans.  They fully understood the demands of a P.I.A.A. official.

In 1985, Mr. Downey also began officiating girls’ collegiate basketball and softball.  During this period, he officiated nearly thirty to forty contests a year for nearly twenty-five years.  In addition, he officiated Amateur Softball Association (ASA) games and American Legion baseball games for more than twenty years.

Throughout his officiating career, Mr. Downey points to several memorable events that he felt privileged and honored to participate.  These included a state P.I.A.A. football championship, two P.I.A.A. state championships in girls’ softball, and one Eastern state championship in girls’ basketball.  He also officiated many P.I.A.A. playoff games for both District 2 and 4 in football, boys and girls’ basketball, boys’ baseball, and girls’ softball.  In 2019, then Senator John Yudichak presented Mr. Downey with a Proclamation in recognition of his fifty years of exemplary service as a P.I.A.A. official serving student-athletes throughout the Commonwealth.  Mr. Downey retired as a P.I.A.A. official following the conclusion of the 2020 softball season.