Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Football Feature: Pat Finn
9/6/2018 10:35:00 AM | Football
This feature story on Pat Finn originally ran in the program for Bucknell's game against William & Mary on Sept. 1, 2018.
Bison head coach Joe Susan often jokes that he didn't hear Pat Finn say more than two words before his junior year. While Finn still prefers to let his play on the field and work in the weight room and classroom speak for him, he has embraced his role at center and developed into a leader in the trenches. Â Â Â
"Pat's not a guy who talks much, and our center has to talk a bunch," Susan said. "He's done an outstanding job of communicating the changes we have to make at the line of scrimmage. He's definitely come into his own as a leader, and we're glad to have him on our side."
One of Bucknell's two Preseason All-Patriot League selections, Finn seized the starting center job in 2017 after spending his first two collegiate seasons in a reserve role. Not only did he become a key leader on an offense line that featured nine underclassmen and just one returning starter, he also proved to be a force to be reckon with up the middle.
"Pat is a former high-school wrestler, and his understanding of leverage has made him a better center," Susan said. "He's a physical presence up the middle. He's also a hard worker who understands what he needs to do to be as effective as he can be."
Finn credits the offensive linemen who graduated in 2017— current Houston Texan Julién Davenport, Griff Barth, Ned Bent, Devlin Brennan and Cary Hess—for showing him the ropes when he was an underclassman. He said that he aspires to be a role model and mentor for the younger players, like they were for him.
"All five of those guys were great," Finn said. "They all had great technique and were really good about helping us out when we were younger. Now that I'm the older guy who has the experience, I'm trying to pull the younger guys along."
During camp, Finn was voted as one of four captains, joining fellow seniors Joe Lauro, Bryan Marine and Alex Pechin. Finn said that earning the respect of his teammates has been especially gratifying because he's worked so hard at becoming a better leader over the past three years.
"I've always had a good sense of right from wrong, but I didn't always voice my opinion," Finn said. "During my time at Bucknell, I've learned to speak up. That, along with trying to set a good example with my actions, has helped me to earn my teammates' respect. It's an honor to be a captain, and I'm happy my teammates picked me."
Finn is also happy to be at the center of the action on the field. While offensive linemen don't often find themselves in the limelight, centers are in a unique position because they play a key role in helping to drive the entire offense.Â
"Being a center is cool because you have a little bit of control," Finn said. "The play doesn't start until you snap the ball, and you get to make all the offensive-line calls. It's a little bit of a mind game as well, which is something that I enjoy."
As a Mechanical Engineering major, Finn is no stranger to putting his mind to the test. He said that he enjoys how hands-on Bucknell's engineering classes are, noting that one of his favorite projects involved building a lens cutter for eye glasses out of common materials. But, as rewarding as his classwork can be, he admitted that it's not always easy balancing such a rigorous major with the demands of being a Division I football player.
"Maintaining a balance between engineering and football can be difficult at times, but the big thing is to plan my work out in advance," Finn said. "I also make sure that I'm productive. If I feel like I'm not being productive, I walk away from the assignment for a while and come back when I'm ready to work. Both of these strategies have helped me to be work free the day before a game so I can prepare and be well rested."
Following graduation, Finn plans to work as an engineer for a few years before attending graduate school. But, for now, his focus is on helping the Bison achieve their ultimate goal.
"My goal for this season is to win a Patriot League Championship," Finn said. "That's the team's goal, and that's what we're all working towards."
Bison Bits with Pat Finn
1) Favorite Sports Team: Philadelphia Eagles
2) Dream Vacation Spot: Hawaii
3) Hidden Talent: I can do a cartwheel
4) Biggest Fear: Heights
5) Three People You Would Invite to Dinner: Will Ferrell, Joel Embiid and Kevin Hart
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