Edward L. Finnigan Explained

Eddie Finnigan
Birth Date:May 10, 1911[1]
Birth Place:Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.[2]
Death Place:Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Player Sport1:Football
Player Years2:1930–1932
Player Team2:Western Reserve
Coach Sport1:Football
Coach Years2:1949–1950
Coach Team2:Baldwin–Wallace
Coach Years3:1951–1965
Coach Team3:Western Reserve
Coach Sport5:Basketball
Coach Years6:1935–1940
Coach Team6:Baldwin–Wallace
Coach Sport7:Track
Coach Years8:1940–1948
Coach Team8:Baldwin–Wallace
Coach Years9:1963–1966
Coach Team9:Western Reserve
Admin Years1:1951–1968
Admin Team1:Western Reserve
Coach Sport10:Golf
Coach Years11:1954–1958
Coach Team11:Western Reserve
Overall Record:66–54–9 (football)
25–56 (basketball)
Championships:Football
3 PAC (1955, 1958, 1960)

Edward Leo Finnigan (May 10, 1911 – July 10, 1968) was an American football and basketball coach and player. He served as the head football coach at Baldwin–Wallace College—now known as Baldwin Wallace University—from 1949 to 1950 and at Western Reserve University—now known as Case Western Reserve University—from 1951 to 1965, compiling a career college football coaching record of 68–52–9. Finnigan was also the head basketball coach at Baldwin–Wallace from 1935 to 1940, tallying a mark of 25–56.

Playing career

In high school, Finnigan was a star athlete at John Adams High School in Cleveland.

Finnigan was the first Western Reserve University athlete to earn nine varsity letters—three each in football, basketball, and track—at a time when freshmen were unable to play varsity sports.[3] He was football team captain and quarterback his senior year in 1932[4] leading the Red Cats to a 7–1 record.[5]

His best sport was basketball, where he was an All-American during the 1932–33 season.[6]

Honors and death

In recognition of his many contributions to the athletic community, both the cities of Berea and Cleveland proclaimed November 4, 1967 as "Eddie Finnigan Day".[7]

Finnegan died of cancer July 10, 1968, at the Cleveland Clinic.[8]

Present day, the roadway in between DiSanto Field and Nobby's Ballpark is named "Finnegan's Way."

External links

Notes and References

  1. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
  2. Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Marriage Records and Indexes, 1810-1973
  3. Web site: Namesakes-Eddie Finnigan and Finnigan Fields . . May 15, 2013 . Recollections . . July 31, 2016 .
  4. News: . Western Reserve's Eddie Finnegan To Speak; Salem Grid Dinner Scheduled Nov. 23 . The Salem News . . November 15, 1963 . 11 . July 31, 2016 . .
  5. Web site: WRU Football 1932/33 Season Record . . University Archives . . July 31, 2016 .
  6. Web site: Eddie Finnigan . . College Hoopedia . July 31, 2016 .
  7. Web site: Edward L. Finnigan . . Hall of Fame - Baldwin Wallace Athletics . . July 31, 2016 .
  8. News: . Cancer Claims Finnegan . The Daily Reporter . . July 11, 1968 . 12 . July 31, 2016 . .