SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - The University of San Francisco (USF) Athletics department will begin a new spotlight series highlighting each member of the 2026 Hall of Fame class leading up to the induction ceremonies.

The first member of the upcoming class to be honored is baseball alumnus Bill Downing, who spent four years on the Hilltop from 1970 to 1973.
 

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  Coming to the Hilltop from Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, Downing was a four-time letter winner for the Dons and the starting shortstop for USF from 1971 to 73. As a sophomore in 1971, Downing replaced future MLB shortstop and senior Mike Buskey (MLB/Philadelphia Phillies, USF Hall of Fame Class of 1980), who had moved to third base. He would go on to earn All-West Coast Athletic Conference (WCAC) honors in his three years as a starter, including leading the team in assists all three years. USF's 1971 team finished 32-15 under Benedetti, the best record of any USF team in the wood bat era. In 1972, he earned the Outstanding College Athletics of America Award. He capped off his collegiate career by leading the WCAC home runs in 1973.

After graduating from USF with a Bachelor of Science in the spring of 1973, Downing was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round, where he would go on to play two years for the Braves' AA affiliate in Savannah, Ga., under Tommy Aaron. He was invited back by the Braves for a third season, but chose to return to San Francisco instead, as he would go on to serve 31 years for the San Francisco Fire Department.
 

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The Father Hub Flynn Hall of Fame Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at the McLaren Conference Center on the main campus of USF. The festivities will begin with a social hour reception from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, followed by the Hall of Fame Program from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Attire is business casual. Inductees will also be honored at halftime of the USF men's basketball game vs. Washington State later that day, with the game beginning at 4:00 pm inside War Memorial at the Sobrato Center.

Tickets are available to purchase for $65 by clicking here.

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