Next door to the building that bears his name, former University of Memphis coach Larry Finch was remembered Saturday by students and alumni as a role model and fierce competitor who was devoted to the school.
Terry Milam, 61, fresh from an afternoon workout at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center on the the U of M campus, slumped into a blue-striped bench when he heard the news about the late, great Memphis icon.
Finch, a former player and the U of M’s all-time winningest coach, died at about 2:30 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital.
The fitness facility is located next to the Larry O. Finch Center, where the Tigers practice.
“He was a role model in every sense of the word,” Milam said, wiping sweat from his brow. “He loved those players like they were his own. The University of Memphis, it was like a child to him. I think he would’ve coached for no money at all. ...
“He brought about change to the Memphis program, the way he naturally encouraged people to support him and support the school.”
Inside a gym, 23-year-old Henry Pruitt took time out from a game to shake his head at friends and fellow students who’d heard the name but couldn’t place the local legend.
“Man, how do y’all not know?” the 2009 graduate asked, still laughing. “I remember watching him on UPN-30 back when I was younger, and I’d get fired up along with him. There he’d be, stomping around, getting more into the game than any of his players. Larry Finch was the Memphis coach.”
Terry Milam, 61, fresh from an afternoon workout at the Student Recreation and Fitness Center on the the U of M campus, slumped into a blue-striped bench when he heard the news about the late, great Memphis icon.
Finch, a former player and the U of M’s all-time winningest coach, died at about 2:30 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital.
The fitness facility is located next to the Larry O. Finch Center, where the Tigers practice.
“He was a role model in every sense of the word,” Milam said, wiping sweat from his brow. “He loved those players like they were his own. The University of Memphis, it was like a child to him. I think he would’ve coached for no money at all. ...
“He brought about change to the Memphis program, the way he naturally encouraged people to support him and support the school.”
Inside a gym, 23-year-old Henry Pruitt took time out from a game to shake his head at friends and fellow students who’d heard the name but couldn’t place the local legend.
“Man, how do y’all not know?” the 2009 graduate asked, still laughing. “I remember watching him on UPN-30 back when I was younger, and I’d get fired up along with him. There he’d be, stomping around, getting more into the game than any of his players. Larry Finch was the Memphis coach.”
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