Name: Frank Downey
Family: Married to Lyn. Daughters are Emma (UGA 2022) and Martha (UGA 2025).
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee.
Current Town: Nashville, Tennessee.
What years at UGA: 1987-1991. Mom and Dad declined my attempt at a fifth Fall.
School/Degree: Franklin College/BA History.
Accolades: Sigma Alpha Epsilon President, 1991. Gridiron Secret Society, Spring 1991.
What life lessons did you learn while at UGA? I learned how to balance and navigate a very busy social calendar while staying focused on school (most of the time).
What professor did you admire most? Phinizy Spalding
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Marrying Lyn and being a father to our two daughters Emma and Martha!
What historical figure do you most identify with? UGA X (Que, A Damn Good Dawg).
Who are your heroes in real life? All of the men and women who serve in the armed forces to protect our freedom.
Quote to live by: Well, for UT week it has to be: “My God Almighty, did you see what he did? David Greene just straightened up and we snuck the fullback over! We just dumped it over! 26-24! We just stepped on their face with a hobnail boot and broke their nose! We just crushed their face!”
What is you idea of perfect happiness? Pulling into Clarke County after a long drive from Nashville on a beautiful fall or spring day. Or, a night in St. George Island surrounded by family and friends, enjoying a shrimp boil and a cold beer.
What is your most marked characteristic? I would like to think that I am loyal and disciplined.
What do you value most in your friends? Loyalty and consistency.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wish that I had my younger brother John’s ability to play the banjo!
Who are your favorite writers? Pat Conroy. He was an amazing and passionate storyteller. His descriptions always remind me of the settling in Kiawah or coming onto St. Simons/Sea Island. All beautiful places!
Favorite social media and who to follow? I am not really a fan of any social media. I might be the last person without Facebook or Instagram.