This news will only mean something to us old timers and folks that have been around the Augusta County area for more than a few years, but I received word this evening that Ken Downey, the first-ever basketball coach at Riverheads, has passed away. He had been battling cancer for quite a while.
He coached the Gladiators to a district tournament title in the school's very first year of existence (the 1962-63 season) and for more than 30 years that was the only title we won. My memory is a little shaky on the exact years of his tenure but I think he coached for about the first 7-8 years, and then maybe came back for a second shorter stint in the early to mid 70s.
I don't know any details on services, memorial, etc. but he had been living in the Harrisonburg area so it is possible that the news might be covered primarily in that paper.
He coached the Gladiators to a district tournament title in the school's very first year of existence (the 1962-63 season) and for more than 30 years that was the only title we won. My memory is a little shaky on the exact years of his tenure but I think he coached for about the first 7-8 years, and then maybe came back for a second shorter stint in the early to mid 70s.
I don't know any details on services, memorial, etc. but he had been living in the Harrisonburg area so it is possible that the news might be covered primarily in that paper.
