U of M honors Larry Finch with ceremony, statue and a host of memories
A statue of former Memphis player and coach Larry Finch was unveiled at the University of Memphis’ new Larry Finch Plaza on Thursday, Oct. 28. Finch died in 2011 at age 60. The plaza is on the university’s South Campus, near Park Avenue and Getwell Road. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
“My husband loved basketball from the day he started playing until the day he died,” said Vicki Finch, widow of the late Larry Finch. She received a hug from a friend after speaking at a ceremony honoring her husband at the University of Memphis on Thursday, Oct. 28. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland gives a proclamation to Vicki Finch, the widow of former Memphis coach Larry Finch. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A University of Memphis flag billows in the background after a statue of Larry Finch was unveiled Thursday, Oct. 28. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Former Memphis player Elliot Perry (left) comforts Penny Hardaway at the ceremony honoring their coach, Larry Finch, on Thursday, Oct. 28. Hardaway struggled to speak as he fought back tears. “I told myself I was going to cherish this day because he deserved it,” Hardaway said. “What a wonderful man.” (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Former Memphis player Elliot Perry speaks at the ceremony honoring his coach Larry Finch on Thursday, Oct. 28. “Being a part of his first recruiting class at Memphis, I’m extremely proud of that,” Perry said. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Memphis coach Penny Hardaway speaks during a ceremony at the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center honoring his former coach, Larry Finch, on Thursday, Oct. 28. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Ten years after his death, Memphis unveiled the Larry Finch Plaza and statue.
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Memphis Tigers Memphis Tigers Basketball Larry Finch College BasketballSteven Johnson
Johnson is a Memphis native who graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2016. He's traveled the country covering teams like Syracuse, the Buffalo Bills and the Memphis Grizzlies. He's excited about the opportunity to cover the Tigers and all things in the city of Memphis.
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