Pottsgrove’s Patrick Finn was a perfect model to demonstrate that a little hard work goes a long way.
The 6-foot-4 senior’s transformation from freshman reserve to a workhorse in the trenches hit another high as the lineman signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at Bucknell University.
Finn, who was also considering Division I’s Villanova, Navy and Delaware, will major in mechanical engineering.
“I saw it was a good school academically and I really like the campus and coaches there,’ Finn said. “I liked the engineering program the best.
“I like the layout of the campus and the way it’s spaced out; it’s a very pretty campus.’
It’s only fitting that Finn’s major will be engineering, because he was one of the main forces behind Pottsgrove’s title machine as the Falcons won two PAC-10 titles in three seasons.
In total, Finn, who is also an accomplished wrestler, helped lead the Falcons to 30 wins and berths into the District 1-AAA semifinals each year.
It was a ride he didn’t take for granted.
“I loved every minute of it,’ Finn said of his career. “You look at other programs in the PAC-10 and others aren’t as successful. We had a good group of kids each year I was there. That’s what I liked the most.’
Instilled with the work ethic preached by Pottsgrove head coach and uncle Rick Pennypacker, Finn became one of the league’s premiere trenchmen throughout the past two seasons.
“The main positive thing I take from coach is that he’s a big fan of working hard and practicing hard. In the summer we worked out a few days a week, practice at night. He gave us a good work ethic to follow, not only there but in the classroom.’
His award list reflects it.
Finn was named All-State PIAA-AAA Lineman of the Year in his junior season before earning All-Southeast Pa. Lineman first team honors, the Tall Cedars Award, All-Academic Honors and a Mini Maxwell Award in his senior season, the latter becoming one of his favorite accomplishments.
“I thought that was cool, winning the Mini,’ Finn said. “That kind of awarded things that aren’t really noticed as much. Getting good grades and being active with community service isn’t as noticed and the Maxwell kind of honored that.’
Finn’s award list stretches even further as he was named to the All-PAC-10 first team in his junior and senior season as well as the Mercury All-Area team the same seasons (offense and defensive line). Finn was also named the PAC-10 Two-Way Player of the Year the past two seasons.
Even on the wrestling mat, Finn was successful as he was a PIAA-AAA runner-up a season ago. The quest for a state title, however, was short-lived as Finn had to sit out his senior season because of a shoulder injury he suffered during the tail end of the football season.
“When I realized I couldn’t wrestle I was upset that day but I accepted it. It was something I didn’t want to do but I kind of had to do it.’
Finn also benefitted from the support system of parents Terry and Gino, brother Ryan and sister Nicole.
“My parents pretty much went to every game and every match I had,’ Finn said. “I don’t think they’ve ever missed one. My dad is a big supporter of both sports. They supported me either way, they didn’t care what sport I chose.’
Now, recovering from a shoulder injury, Finn is excited to make an impact for the Bison, even if he doesn’t crack the roster in his first season.
“The coaches told us what they like to do and I felt that a lot of things were similar to what my coach (Pennypacker) does now. Some were different, some were better. I’m excited.
“I don’t think I’ll break my first year. I just have to lift for a year and catch up.’
And if history repeats itself, Finn’s hard work should only pay dividends during his collegiate career.
