Wrestling Ray Downey Scholarship Fund
Len Skoros
THE RAY DOWNEY, SR. MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIP AND WRESTLING FUND
The Hofstra University wrestling program is proud to honor the memory of an American hero FDNY Deputy Chief Ray Downey with the Ray Downey Memorial Scholarship. Chief Downey, who served as Chief of Special Operations Command, lost his life heroically during the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Ray Downey was appointed to the FDNY on April 7, 1962. In August 2001, he was placed in charge of all SOC (Special Operations Command) operations - Rescue, Squad, Hazmat and Marine - and promoted to Deputy Chief. Chief Downey's phenomenal 39-year career with the FDNY was built upon success after success and rescue after rescue. One of the most - if not the most decorated men in the Department, Chief Downey received five individual medals for valor and 16 unit citations.
A devoted family man who lived in Deer Park, New York, with his wife, Rosalie; father of five married children, Joseph, Marie, Chuck, Ray Jr. and Kathy; and adored grandfather of nine, Chief Downey was an avid fan of the sport of wrestling and supporter of the Hofstra wrestling program, where his sons Joe and Ray Jr. were outstanding athletes. Chief Downey loved wrestling, and he always attended their matches. He continued to support the Hofstra wrestling program long after his sons graduated.
After his passing, the Downey family, longtime supporters of Hofstra University and the Pride wrestling program, created a scholarship fund to honor Chief Downey's memory. Funds contributed are used to endow scholarships in Chief Downey's name and will provide financial assistance to the Hofstra University wrestling program. Chief Downey's sons, Joseph, Chuck and Ray Jr., were successful athletes at Deer Park High School, and earned bachelor's degrees from respected universities through athletic scholarship opportunities. Recipients of these funds will demonstrate the integrity, work ethic, discipline and courage that Deputy Chief Raymond Downey exemplified throughout his life. The 2021 recipient of the Ray Downey Scholarship Award was Trey Rogers from Hastings, Minnesota.
Hofstra University Ray Downey Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund
2002 - Noel Thompson, Freeport, NY
2003 - John Manarte, Farmingville, NY
2004 - Mike Patrovich, Islip, NY
2005 - Mike Patrovich, Islip, NY & James Strouse, Levittown, NY
2006 - Mike Patrovich, Islip, NY & James Strouse, Levittown, NY
2007 - Charles Griffin, Reading, PA & Dave Tomasette, Sewell, NJ
2008 - Charles Griffin, Reading, PA & Dave Tomasette, Sewell, NJ
2009 - P.J. Gillespie, Long Beach, NY
2010 - Anthony Tortora, Chappaqua, NY
2011 - Jeff Rotella, West Windsor, NJ
2012 - Ben Clymer, Germansville, PA
2013 - Steve Bonanno, Wantagh, NY
2014 - Zeal McGrew, Glenville, NY
2015 - Michael Hughes, Smithtown, NY
2016 - Michael Hughes, Smithtown, NY
2017 - Michael Hughes, Smithtown, NY
2018 - Michael Hughes, Smithtown, NY
2019 - Ricky Stamm, Levittown, NY
2020 - Ricky Stamm, Levittown, NY
2021 - Trey Rogers, Hastings, MN
2022 - Trey Rogers, Hastings, MN
2023 - Dylan Ryder, Dix Hills, NY
2024 -
