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Sunday, April 03, 2011

Larry Finch (1951-2011)


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  1. Timeline: A look at Larry Finch's career
    By Staff
    Memphis Commercial Appeal
    Posted April 3, 2011 at 12:30 a.m.
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    DiggFacebookLinkedInTweet thisPrintAAA.A look at Larry Finch's career from his Melrose High days through the University of Memphis years.

    Feb. 21, 1969: Scores 21 points to lead Melrose over Overton, 76-65, for Memphis Interscholastic Athletic Association championship before 10,000 at Mid-South Coliseum.

    March 14, 1969: Named to Tennessee Sports Writers All-State team.

    May 26, 1969: Signs to play basketball at Memphis State.

    Jan. 17, 1970: Scores 47 points as freshman in 105-83 victory over Jackson State Community College.

    March 9, 1971: Named to All-Missouri Valley Conference team.

    March 17, 1971: Named sophomore player of the year in Missouri Valley Conference.

    March 15, 1972: Named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.

    Aug. 17, 1972: Named Missouri Valley Conference Athlete of the Year.

    Jan. 20, 1973: Scores career-high 48 points in 112-92 victory over St. Joseph's of Indiana at Mid-South Coliseum.

    Feb. 24, 1973: Scores only eight points but hits game-winning free throws with 1:11 left for 54-53 victory at New Mexico State to clinch the Tigers' first outright Missouri Valley Conference title.

    March 17, 1973: Named MVP of Midwest Regional after scoring 57 points in victories over South Carolina and Kansas State.

    March 24, 1973: Scores 21 points in 98-85 victory over Providence in NCAA semifinals.

    March 26, 1973: Scores 29 points in 87-66 loss to UCLA in NCAA final.

    March 31, 1973: Named first-team All-America by U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

    April 24, 1973: Selected in fourth round of NBA draft by Los Angeles Lakers.

    April 25, 1973: Selected in first round of ABA draft by Memphis Tams.

    Nov. 30, 1974: Finch's Tiger jersey No. 21 retired along with former Tiger teammate Ronnie Robinson's No. 33.

    June 17, 1977: Hired as assistant coach at University of Alabama-Birmingham.

    March 24, 1979: Hired as assistant coach at Memphis State.

    Oct. 16, 1981: Inducted into Memphis State Hall of Fame.

    Sept. 17, 1986: Named Tigers' interim head coach after firing of Dana Kirk.

    Sept. 25, 1986: Named Tiger head coach with three-year contract with $50,000 base.

    March 5, 1987: Named Metro Conference Coach of the Year for season that produces 26-8 record and conference tournament title.

    March 9, 1989: Named Metro Conference Coach of the Year.

    Jan. 14, 1990: Finch says he's underpaid, doesn't have control of scheduling, that a drop in home attendance is racially motivated, and that some boosters hope he will fail.

    Feb. 3, 1990: Agreement reached for new four-year contract with annual base salary of $82,500.

    Feb. 23, 1991: 100th victory as head coach: Memphis 80, South Carolina 58.

    March 1992: Coaches Penny Hardaway-led Tigers to NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight.

    Feb. 12, 1993: Inducted into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

    Jan. 28, 1995: Becomes winningest Tigers men's basketball coach (173 victories) with 74-67 victory over UAB at The Pyramid.

    March 8, 1995: Named Great Midwest Conference Coach of the Year.

    April 6, 1995: Named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year after leading Tigers to Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament.

    Dec. 15, 1995: Accepts contract extension through April 30, 2000, with annual base pay of $110,000.

    Jan. 30, 1997: University officials announce Finch will resign effective the end of the season and that the remaining years of his contract will be bought out. He finishes with a 220-130 career record including six NCAA Tournament appearances.

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  2. Anonymous2:53 AM

    Some other points about Larry Finch worth mentioning:

    1. You never saw Larry's mugshot in the news for a DUI, drug bust, or any other crime.

    2. You never saw Larry in the news for domestic violence.

    3. You never saw Larry in the news involving a paternity case.

    4. Larry got married -- and stayed married to the same woman. Larry never left his wife for another woman when he made it "big."

    5. Larry believed in family.

    6. Larry loved and believed in Memphis.

    May his soul rest in peace!!!

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