Edward L. Finnigan

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. Finnegan was also the head basketball coach at Baldwin–Wallace from 1935 to 1940, tallying a mark of 25–56.

Eddie Finnigan
Biographical details
BornMay 10, 1911[1]
Cleveland, Ohio[2]
DiedJuly 10, 1968(1968-07-10) (aged 57)
Cleveland, Ohio
Playing career
Football
1930–1932Western Reserve
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1949–1950Baldwin–Wallace
1951–1965Western Reserve
Basketball
1935–1940Baldwin–Wallace
Track
1940–1948Baldwin–Wallace
1963–1966Western Reserve
Golf
1954–1958Western Reserve
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1951–1968Western Reserve
Head coaching record
Overall66–54–9 (football)
25–56 (basketball)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
3 PAC (1955, 1958, 1960)

Playing career

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

Finnegan 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]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Baldwin–Wallace Yellow Jackets (Independent) (1949–1950)
1949 Baldwin–Wallace 6–2
1950 Baldwin–Wallace 5–2–1
Baldwin–Wallace: 11–4–1
Western Reserve Red Cats (Mid-American Conference) (1951–1954)
1951 Western Reserve 2–6–11–35th
1952 Western Reserve 5–41–4T–6th
1953 Western Reserve 5–3–11–2–15th
1954 Western Reserve 3–4–12–36th
Western Reserve Red Cats (Presidents' Athletic Conference) (1955–1965)
1955 Western Reserve 5–1–13–01st
1956 Western Reserve 4–31–23rd
1957 Western Reserve 2–41–23rd
1958 Western Reserve 4–34–01st
1959 Western Reserve 3–43–24th
1960 Western Reserve 6–16–01st
1961 Western Reserve 5–25–23rd
1962 Western Reserve 3–3–13–2–13rd
1963 Western Reserve 1–5–11–4–18th
1964 Western Reserve 4–3–14–3–16th
1965 Western Reserve 3–4–13–4–15th
Western Reserve: 55–50–839–33–5
Total:66–54–9
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

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