Athlete Bio
Richard M. Finan
Class of 1949
The first five-letter athlete in school history, Richard Finan was voted by the CHS teachers to receive the flag award as the most outstanding athlete, student and leader in the class of 1949.
Finan was an integral part of the great football teams of the time, earning three varsity letters at halfback, defensive back and punter on teams that were undefeated all three seasons. An honorable mention All-Scholastic by the Boston Globe, Herald and Post following the 1947 and '48 seasons, Finan started at halfback in the prestigious Lowell All-Star game of 1949.
Winter meant big crowds for basketball at Hunt Gymnasium, and Finan earned three varsity letters on the hardwood, finishing second in scoring as a junior and senior. When it did not conflict with roundball, Finan could be found running for coach Skip O'Connor's indoor track teams in the 600 and relay events. The fifth place finisher in the 600 at the Greater Boston Interscholastic meet, Finan was a combined 1-2 in his "other" winter endeavor.
The springtime saw Finan wearing more hats that Deion Sanders, as he was a member of three spring sports his senior year! On the baseball diamond, Finan was an ace pitcher, hurling a one and two-hitter within eight days of each other as a sophomore and earning honorable mention All-Scholastic honors from several papers. In between games, Finan also ran the quarter mile and relay events in outdoor track, qualifying for the state meet and placing fourth in the state in the event.
As if that wasn't enough, Dick played on the first organized boy's tennis team at CHS, recording a 3-1 record in his spare time.
Finan truly defined well rounded, as his accomplishments extended well beyond the playing fields. The school nominee for state representative, Dick was also the Middlesex County nominee and represented District 13 at "Good Government Day." In addition to singing in the school play, Dick was voted "Best Dressed Senior Boy" by his classmates.
Finan's excellence continued at the University of Massachusetts, where he played two years of varsity football for the Minutemen and was the starting defensive back on the 1952 team. Finan was also active in intramural sports as a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity.
Married to childhood sweetheart and 1949 drum majorette Alice Zumwalt, Dick is the father of Richard, Susan, Cindy, Cheryl and Scott and has ten grandchildren. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, Dick and his wife reside in St. Petersburg, Florida where he remains busy with a number of athletic and volunteer activities.
"I owe much of the success I have had with my family and career to high school sports and my coaches," says Finan. "My favorite memory is the final football game of the 1948 season, when we beat Lexington 28-0 to remain unbeaten and capture the Class "C" state championship."