Full Press Conference Video Link | Press Conference Transcript | Photo Gallery

Loretto, Pa. - University President Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R officially introduced James Downer as Saint Francis University's 12th Director of Athletics on Wednesday during a press conference in front of the University's Fountain of Saint Francis.

Downer replaces Susan Robinson Fruchtl, who led the department from April of 2016 to March of 2020. 

Downer, who spent the last three years as the Senior Associate Athletics Director at Eastern Kentucky University, was joined in the front row by his wife Erin, sons Max (5) and Caden (3), father Jim, father-In-law Greg, and mother in-law Tonya.

In his role at EKU, Downer served as the sport administrator for football and men's basketball and supervised several departments including compliance, media relations, ticket operations, marketing and development. He additionally oversaw football and men's basketball scheduling, played pivotal roles in several coaching hires, secured athletic department contracts with Adidas and Learfield/IMG College and launched the EKUSports Mobile App.

A native of Springfield, Illinois, James graduated from Millsaps College in 2002, where he played baseball.  He received his master's degree from the University of Oklahoma.  

You can watch the entirety of the press conference on NEC Front Row or via the link at the top of the page, along with a link to the transcripts from Downer and Fr. Malachi Van Tassell T.O.R. from this afternoon's event.