William J. Downer Award
The William J. Downer Award recognizes the outstanding male student-athlete of the year at Illinois College. The award was established in 1967 by Mr. Downer’s wife, Margaret Downer, and his sons, James and Robert Downer, both of whom are IC graduates. The Downer Award is presented each fall as part of Family Day festivities on the IC campus. Candidates for the award must have won the Most Valuable Player award in their respective sport during the preceding year. The voting is conducted among active letter winners.
| Year | Recipiants | |
| 2007 | Jon Howard (2007) | |
| 2006 | Brian Short (2005) | |
| 2005 | Dustin Devening (2004) | |
| 2004 | Dustin Devening (2004) | |
| 2003 | Derek Leonard (2003) | |
| 2002 | Matthew Espenschied (2002) | |
| 2001 | Gregory Lehman (2001) | |
| 2000 | Dane Wear (2002) | |
| 1999 | Andrew Keller (1998) | |
| 1998 | Daniel Cliburn (1997) | |
| 1997 | James Bogard (1997) | |
| 1996 | Brian Rhoades (1996) | |
| 1995 | Rodney Flowers (1995) | |
| 1994 | Blair Ackman (1993) | |
| 1993 | Fred Peters (1992) | |
| 1992 | Michael Carter (1991) | |
| 1991 | Jeff Vaca (1991) | |
| 1990 | Brian Becker (1990) | |
| 1989 | David Earhart (1988) | |
| 1988 | Tim Mitchell (1987) | |
| 1987 | Nick Lawless (1987) | |
| 1986 | Joey Lee (1986) | |
| 1985 | Del Sutter (1987) | |
| 1984 | Greg Havlin (1985) | |
| 1983 | Joe Aiello (1982) | |
| 1982 | Jay Wessler (1981) | |
| 1981 | Jay Wessler (1981) | |
| 1980 | Travis Wilson (1981) | |
| 1979 | Gale Vaughn (1978) | |
| 1978 | Andy Winkelmann (1977) | |
| 1977 | Ed Willhite (1977) | |
| 1976 | Ron Petefish (1975) | |
| 1975 | Ron Summers (1974) | |
| 1974 | Ron Summers (1974) | |
| 1973 | Bob Haquet (1973), Ron Summers (1974) | |
| 1972 | Oscar Young (1971) | |
| 1971 | Bill Albach (1970) | |
| 1970 | Charles Martin (1969) | |
| 1969 | Tom Rowland (1968) | |
| 1968 | Phil Snowden (1968) |