Hodge, Closs Win Downer & Hopper Awards
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. 鈥� Illinois College men’s track and field’s Melvin Hodge and softball’s Jordan Closs have been named the recipients of the William J. Downer and Doris B. Hopper Awards for the 2025-26 athletic year, as announced by the IC athletics department today. Beginning in 1967, Illinois College began awarding the William J. Downer Award, which recognizes the outstanding male student-athlete of the year at IC. It was established by Robert “Bob” Edward Downer ’64 and James “Jim” Mitchell Downer ’66 in honor of their father. In 1978, IC added the Doris B. Hopper Award, which recognizes IC’s outstanding female…
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