The Kansas Basketball Coaches Association is set to host their annual All-Star game this weekend (June 24th) and with that comes the honoring of the 2017 KBCA Hall of Fame Class. 

Former Atchison athlete and coach, Matthew "Chic" Downing will be honored as one of the 2017 Hall of Fame inductees. 

From player to coach, Mathew “Chic” Downing of Atchison, Kansas, has been successful in every stop in his storied basketball career. A two-time All-State selection at Atchison High School, Downing chose to play basketball at Benedictine College for 2004 KSHOF Inductee Ralph Nolan where he was twice named an NAIA All-American selection, including a first-team selection in 1972. Downing is the Benedictine's all-time leading scorer (2,042 points), was second in career rebounds, and was tops in numerous single season records, including single season scoring and single season scoring average. He was inducted to the Benedictine College Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Downing was selected by the New York Knicks in the 1972 NBA Draft before becoming the head basketball coach of Atchison High School in 1975 where he remained as coach until 1992. As a coach, Downing guided Atchison to four state championships and ten state tournament appearances. Downing was also named the 1986 Coach of the Year by the Wichita Eagle.

Downing was also a strong slow-pitch softball player being named the National Slow Pitch Softball Player of the Year in 1979 and was inducted to the Kansas Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Fame in 2015. 

Downing and his fellow KBCA Hall of Fame inductees will be honored on Saturday in Salina at a reception before the KBCA All-Star games and then also honored during halftime of the boy’s All-Star game.