HEAD COACH: Linda Downey
(585) 389-2189
ladowney@naz.edu

It's taken just three years for Nazareth coach Linda Downey to reverse the Golden Flyers' volleyball fortunes from that of regional alsoran to national power.

The Golden Flyers won just five volleyball matches as recently as 1997. Over the last two seasons, however, the Golden Flyers are 72-9 and have appeared in the last two NCAA Tournaments. With the dramatic improvement came acknowledgement from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, which has selected Downey as New York Region Coach of the Year in each of the past two seasons.

The 2001 season was especially memorable as the Golden Flyers were equal to every challenge as they finished 36-3, won the NYSWCAA title for the first time since 1985, captured the Empire 8 Conference title (and the accompanying automatic bid to the NCAAs), and won the New York Regional title for a berth in the national quarterfinals. The Golden Flyers finally were eliminated in their quest for a berth in the Final Four in a competitive five-game loss at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.

After a brilliant scholastic coaching career that spanned more than two decades, Downey became the Golden Flyers' volleyball coach in 1999, then joined the Nazareth staff full time in 2000.

Downey enjoyed remarkable success as girls volleyball coach at Livonia High School for 21 years. She compiled a record of 349-52, won 13 Livingston County League titles, 10 Section Five titles, and one state title (1996). Livonia also reached the state finals in 1997 and the semifinals in 1998. Her overall record at Nazareth is 54-26 through two seasons.

A native of Chappaqua, N.Y., Downey earnd a degree in physical education from Ithaca College. She had teaching assignments at Canisteo and Haverling Central Schools before joining the staff a Livonia in 1977. In addition to coaching volleyball, Downey has served as Section Five Volleyball Coordinator and has coached basketball, softball, and tennis. She also has been active in several area club vollyeball teams.

Downey was joined at Nazareth in 2000 by her daughter, Christa, now a senior, who has set several records and is a two-time first-team All-American. She also is the mother of sons Kevin, 19; and Kyle, 12.