Tom Finchum (center in burgundy sweater) with former players and coaches and family members at the Dec. 21 recognition.
PHOTOS BY JULIE PFLUG Tom Finchum and wife Audrey. By Julie Pflug
Lutheran High School director of communications
Many of Tom Finchum’s former players and coaches reunited Dec. 21 in a show of appreciation to recognize the man who guided Lutheran High’s basketball program from 1991 until last year, when he handed the reins down to Bob Jacobs.
Finchum’s illustrious career featured a variety of successes on and off the court. He won 217 games, including multiple sectional, regional and semistate victories, and was a state runner-up in 2008.
He began coaching at Brownsburg in 1981 and remained there for seven years before coming to Lutheran in 1991.
Finchum said he has witnessed many transformations in the game. Aside from the ever-changing length of shorts and socks, he has observed an amazing increase in the physicality and speed of the game. He noted that the fundamentals have gone somewhat to the wayside in the wake of this wave of speed and size, but the passion for the game has not changed, among players and fans alike, he said. “There’s just nothing quite like Hoosier basketball.”
One of the most memorable times in his career was the privilege of coaching his son, Luke, while daughter Lindsay cheered. It was challenging and rewarding to see the growth and maturity in his children and all of his players.
As a fierce competitor, Finchum says what he’ll miss most about coaching is working with the guys and the spirit of competition and camaraderie among the team. He is encouraging to Jacobs and offers the following words of wisdom, “Use what works. Create your own program, and use the tools that work for you.”
This being his first season off the court, Finchum looks forward to spending more time doing his job as the school’s athletic director and with his family. With the dawn of a new sport at Lutheran, wrestling, as well as the continued development of the school’s already established athletic programs, Finchum says he has plenty to keep him busy. “I will continue to be seen in the stands, cheering on my Lutheran Saints.”
Lutheran High School director of communications
Many of Tom Finchum’s former players and coaches reunited Dec. 21 in a show of appreciation to recognize the man who guided Lutheran High’s basketball program from 1991 until last year, when he handed the reins down to Bob Jacobs.
Finchum’s illustrious career featured a variety of successes on and off the court. He won 217 games, including multiple sectional, regional and semistate victories, and was a state runner-up in 2008.
He began coaching at Brownsburg in 1981 and remained there for seven years before coming to Lutheran in 1991.
Finchum said he has witnessed many transformations in the game. Aside from the ever-changing length of shorts and socks, he has observed an amazing increase in the physicality and speed of the game. He noted that the fundamentals have gone somewhat to the wayside in the wake of this wave of speed and size, but the passion for the game has not changed, among players and fans alike, he said. “There’s just nothing quite like Hoosier basketball.”
One of the most memorable times in his career was the privilege of coaching his son, Luke, while daughter Lindsay cheered. It was challenging and rewarding to see the growth and maturity in his children and all of his players.
As a fierce competitor, Finchum says what he’ll miss most about coaching is working with the guys and the spirit of competition and camaraderie among the team. He is encouraging to Jacobs and offers the following words of wisdom, “Use what works. Create your own program, and use the tools that work for you.”
This being his first season off the court, Finchum looks forward to spending more time doing his job as the school’s athletic director and with his family. With the dawn of a new sport at Lutheran, wrestling, as well as the continued development of the school’s already established athletic programs, Finchum says he has plenty to keep him busy. “I will continue to be seen in the stands, cheering on my Lutheran Saints.”
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