Q&A With Shawn Finney
Oct 18, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 18, 2001
Shawn Finney is preparing for his second season as the head coach of the Green Wave men's basketball program. Here is how Coach Finney views some of the aspects of Tulane University, the City of New Orleans and other factors which influence his program.
The Role of Academics
"First and foremost, the University is here to educate. We want basketball to be a part of the educational process. We are blessed at Tulane with a university which has a national reputation. The school has small class sizes to go with very qualified professors which gives students every opportunity to have a good academic experience. Because of the excellent reputation, over 75 percent of our students come from over 500 miles away. You have flavor from all over the country, as well as other countries, forming a very diverse community."
Support from the Administration
"I have been very well-received by everybody in the administration. The university seems very supportive of the mission of the basketball program and willing to do what it takes to build a top 25 type program. I think people are excited about the potential of our basketball program and I look forward to the continued support of everyone, from students to professors to the President. It takes a full team effort from the entire school to reach the goals which we have set for ourselves."
Tulane's Campus and the City of New Orleans
"New Orleans is a diverse community with many different ethnic backgrounds, including Cajun, French, and African-American. Because of the variety of cultures, New Orleans is a unique community, and it continues to attract people from all over the world. It's a great place to go to school and be a college athlete."
Integrating With the Community
"Any university needs to be involved with its surrounding community. We want our students and our faculty and staff to come out to our games and support the program, but we want to branch out into the city. The support of the city is extremely important, we want to build internally and work out to the city, the state, and eventually a nationwide audience. Our basketball team is representing the city of New Orleans as well as Tulane University."
Conference USA as a National Power
"Conference USA is one of the best leagues in the country, two years ago we finished third in the nation in the RPI Ratings. This league has the type of national-caliber programs that compete for a national championship every year. The league gained more national credibility in the 2000 NBA Draft with three first-round picks, including the No. 1 pick overall. Then in this summer's Draft, Conference USA had six more players selected by NBA teams. It just goes to show that a lot of the best players in the country are right here in this league. We are a basketball league. Basketball is the showcase of the league."
What is it Like for a High School Player to Come to College?
"All high school students have to learn to become adults when they come to college. Most are making decisions on their own for the first time, you have to learn how to be accountable for yourself because of the freedom of college. A basketball player has even more demands, they start early in the fall and it goes into April, but there is more structure because of the time commitments required of a collegiate athlete. Our university community and the athletics department is extremely helpful in facilitating a successful transition and establishing a welcoming environment for our players."
Scheduling
"Our non-league schedule is made with many factors in mind, however, the most important thing is to play quality opponents which will prepare us for our conference schedule. Strong opponents provide a great measuring tool for Conference USA, we need to get prepared to play the best in our league, which are among the best in the country. We would like to showcase our program in different parts of the country as we build toward a national audience. In the process, we hope to improve the quality and reach of the university's presence."
What Kind of Traits Do You Look for in a Recruit?
"Obviously, we want a young man who is skilled athletically, someone who can handle the ball, shoot the ball, and "think" the game. Ideally we will have young men who bring both basketball skills and athleticism together and be ready to compete on the court. We want players who are capable of going on to professional careers in the sport. Once we assess athletic skills, we look for the right combination of academic commitment, personal integrity, family background, and work ethic."
How Has Your Background Prepared You for a Head Coaching Position?
"I have been fortunate in my coaching career. I have coached at all different levels - juco, Division III, Division II, mid-major, high-major, to a top-five type program in Kentucky. I have driven the bus, I have swept the floors, and I have done all the little things that need to be done to have a successful program. On the flip side, I have been at the top of the ladder where I have been under the microscope and held accountable on a daily basis for game preparation, recruiting, and taking care of student-athletes. I have also worked for many great coaches which gives me a vast amount of knowledge to prepare for every aspect of being a head coach of a successful basketball program."
