Sports
Edina's Art Downey Honored Nationally
The 55-year boys swimming and diving coach was chosen as the sport's 2011 National High School Coaches Association's Coach of the Year
Longtime Edina boys swimming and diving coach Art Downey was selected as the 2011 National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
It is the second time that Downey, who has coached for 55 years, has won a national coaching award. He has also won the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association National Coach of the Year, according to the NHSCA official website.
The honor comes after Downey helped lead the Hornets to a 24-1 record and a at the Class AA state meet in March. Edina finished with 232.5 points, just behind Minnetonka’s 253.5 points and Eden Prairie’s 248 points.
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If there has been one constant during Downey’s tenure at Edina, it’s consistency. The Hornets have a combined 483-141-1 record in dual meets and 10 state team championships.
His leadership has rubbed off on his athletes.
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“Mr. Downey in general has done a lot for me,” 2011 Edina graduate Max Cartwright told Edina Patch in July. “In terms of swimming and my personality, he’s really shaped who I am today and I’m really appreciative of that. He’s a great coach.”
In addition to his national honors, Downey has been selected Section Coach of the Year 11 times and State Coach of the Year six times.
He was inducted into the NISCA Hall of Fame this spring.
The NHSCA has awarded coach of the year honors for respective sports for the past 12 years. This year, 20 coaches from 20 different sports were honored, including recipients from 17 different states. According to the NHSCA official website, coaches honored with the award show a strong dedication to supporting and developing high school student-athletes.
