He came to Siena having been an all NYS high school player his junior year, as well as his senior year when he averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds a game. In his first season as a Saint he was named to the all rookie MAAC team. For the next couple seasons he would battle injuries and in his junior year he was left in the shadows of the MAAC championships and NCAA appearances. He is Kyle Downey.
To some he unfairly became the scapegoat for Siena having a “down” year or two. Some extremist fans even made a point to write negatively about him on certain blogs and even chose to boo him. On top of it all as a senior he would now be challenged to help lead a team who has been hit with its own adversity from so many angles, injuries, NCAA rulings, a transfer, etc. It is easy to lead when things are going well. But it is not always easy to lead in the face of adversity. But he has done just that.
Following Monday nights upset win over Iona, a game in which Downey scored 16 points and hit key jumpers down the stretch Coach Mitch Buonaguro responded passionately when asked about his senior captain. “He is the embodiment of the team. He had injuries. He’s had to come back from adversity. He has been resilient and last night was his moment on a big stage and I could not be happier for him. We don’t beat Iona unless he makes those shots”.
And yesterday at this weeks media luncheon he continued to explain his feelings about him. “I come to his defense because whatever he does, good or bad he represents what a student athlete should represent in college. He’s a great student he worked extremely hard in the off season, harder than any player on the team”. His work ethic and dedication to the program is something which has been backed up time and again. During the off season coaches and team mates repeatedly spoke of his extreme commitment to working hard, to getting better, and leading this team.
It is confusing at times to understand why a hard working and tough player, who is a solid student and citizen, who is willing to play through pain and despite negativity from some often speaks positively of the fans, would ever be looked on negatively. As Coach B. expressed, “I know last year he came under a lot of unfair criticism. There were some games he got booed at our own arena and I can’t accept that. No one should boo Kyle Downey and what he represents and I’m going to defend him to the hilt”.
As a player he has been outstanding this season. In 37.2 minutes per game, he is averaging 13.2 points, 5.21 rebounds, and 2.74 assists. For Coach B his role as a leader has been a key to keeping this team together. He speaks of Kyle’s ability to deliver his coach’s message in the huddle to his team mates and relay a sense of calm and motivation without even being told what to say. “He backs me up for everything I do. He’s a great leader. He’s a great guy for me to have in the locker room”.
With his performance on the court and seeing first hand his work ethic in practice and the off season, combined with hearing the respect he has earned from his coaches and team mates, it becomes easier to understand the passion with which his head coach speaks about Kyle Downey. “When I defend him I defend him because of the kind of person he is. He’s not the greatest player in the world but he’s a really good kid and he’s going to be very successful in life because he has that character “I’m going to work as hard as I can to be good”, whatever he does in life”.
What more could a true Siena fan ask for?
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