Before Lawrence Taylor, Drake Maye, and Bill Belichick, there was a West Ender on the University of North Carolina Football team. Mike “Finny” Finn came to camp from Natick, Massachusetts in 1968. The Camp Director at the time, Allie Coles, had a niece who was friends with Mike’s mother, Barbara. “I had a lot of energy and my parents wanted to get rid of me for 8 weeks.” While Mike had a blast, the first year he got into a little trouble. He went to the Rec Hall to box a CIT, Skippy Stearns, and when Skippy missed a punch, he damaged his shoulder. Allie came into the Rec Hall screaming at Mike and he thought that was it for West End House Camp. Barbara called up Allie in the offseason, “My son needs camp with other boys, if he doesn’t behave…” Mike got his second chance and never looked back. “They took me back and we all made out.”
Finny was only a 2 year camper. He loved the campus when he first saw it, noting that the physical framework is the same as today, just it was not as well kept as it is today. He didn’t know anybody when he arrived. The Brookline, Newton and city campers were all new to him. He loved to swim, the waterfront activities and especially the League sports. “I loved the sports, we were busy all day with lunch in between. It was the perfect place for me, I was never homesick.” He loved Cake and Milk. “Go back and sneak in some more.”
Mike Finn is truly one of the most accomplished athletes in camp history. He loved the intercamp sports as well. “O-AT-KA, Robin Hood, Skylemar, Marist, we won them all!” He vividly remembers hitting a game winning basket, at the buzzer, in one of those games. One time, there was a fully packed Rec Hall, ready for a game vs. rival Robin Hood. But, they cancelled, so they played a camper vs. staff game. Mike had to play vs. the legendary, future professional player, Reggie Bird. “It’s all true, fierce defender, he could dunk standing still from under the basket. He played mean, but was really a humble guy.” Mike made his mom look good, taking home the “Camper of the Year” award in 1969, over his good friend Peter Kaplan. Something he mentions often when they are together.
In Color War, Peter Kaplan (Blue Hombres) did get the better of Mike (Great White Hope), in 1969 (as they were the captains of opposite teams). “We won the division, but lost a close one (Mike’s High Seniors won 4 games to 2). That was his favorite memory as at camp. “It was exciting to be part of it, to try to encourage, motivate and root on my team.” The most memorable moment for Finny was during that Color War, in High Senior Tugs. “Keith Sherman (Head Coach) was in my face, yelling at me. I was the last guy before they pulled us over. But we pulled them all the way back and did the same exact thing for the 2nd tug. They had Jon Klapman and several big kids.” In that 1969 Color War, for the swim meet, Mike won 3 events and 2 more in the track meet. As a counselor, Mike got to coach Color War as well. He coached with Bill Margolin on the Blue Gypsies, lost on the White Comanches and Blue Bandits. Finally, he won in his last year at the Head Coach of the Blue Train.
It was Football, where Mike Finn excelled the most. As a high school sophomore, he played for Natick High, but was not doing so well with his academics. So, he transferred to Tabor Academy (Marion, MA) where he made the Athletic Hall of Fame for Crew and Football. He was recruited for college by many schools for both sports, but he wanted to play Football. Since his parents couldn’t see him while he was at school, they hosted many of the recruiting visits at their house in Natick, without Mike. UNH had a great program back then and his quarterback from Tabor went there. William and Mary and BC were also interested, as well as the Ivy League Schools. “I couldn’t even fill out the Ivy applications.” In the end, Mike wanted to challenge himself and took an offer to play for the University of North Carolina. “I wanted to be a small fish in a big pond.”
Mike still came back to camp before he went to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. To stay in shape, he would run up and down the inner path. Mike played for UNC from 1974-1977. He made the team as a Freshman, playing Tight End and some linebacker when needed. He knew very little about the school and while in Carmichael Auditorium (old Basketball Arena where Michael Jordan would later play) he first heard the song “Carolina in my Mind,” by James Taylor, he was told that it was the school song. He played in 3 bowl games while at UNC (Sun Bowl, Peach Bowl, Liberty Bowl). He was proud of his career, but admits he could have done better. “It teaches you humility, you can’t be a loud mouth.”
In 1975, UNC hosted Notre Dame. UNC was on their way to a big upset, up 14-6 with about 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Notre Dame decided to put in a young Quarterback named Joe Montana. Montana (4 Super Bowls, Hall of Famer), the Tom Brady of the 80s, led Notre Dame to 2 late touchdowns and the victory of UNC. That also happened to be the same Notre Dame team featured in the movie “Rudy.”
In Mike’s Senior season, 1977, UNC won the ACC championship (and haven’t won again since 1980). Mike, also had an all-time great on his own team, one of the very top defensive players in NFL history, Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. “He wasn’t great immediately and we had 5-6 other pros in his class.” Mike must get “LT” questions often, because he was quick to point out that they had the lesser known, former defensive NFL rookie of the year, Buddy Curry (Falcons) and 1st round pick Donnell Thompson (Colts) too. LT was the 2nd overall pick in that same 1981 draft.
As a long time resident of the Boston area, it is ironic that legendary Patriots coach, Bill Bellichek took the job at North Carolina. “When the news broke, I thought it was a joke. I don’t think he will be there long. He wants Don Shula’s record after Shula made some comments about the Patriots.” Of course, the Patriots are now led at quarterback by another UNC legend, Drake Maye. Mike shared his Bill Parcells like evaluation, “Let’s see what he does in year 2. Right now he’s shown promise, but let’s not put him the NFL Hall of Fame just yet, he’s a work in progress.”
Mike Finn comes to Old Timer’s Week most years. He likes “Seeing old friends. My closest friends are my friends from camp. Peter Kaplan, David Bikofsky, Peter Avergun, Steve Marcus, Joel Saperstein, Peter Nason.” One time, Mike went to a great Italian restaurant upon the recommendation of his son, Max, who is a chef. He was waiting and this guy sees him and says “I know you.” Mike was wearing a West End House Camp sweatshirt. It was West Ender (and Old Timer’s Week Comedian) Vinny Migliore, owner of “Vinny’s” in Somerville.
None of this happens without the urging of his mother, Barbara. In the late 1990s, the camp wanted to put an administrative building at the entrance of camp. “My mom inspired me to go back and I was in a position to do it (donate the building) with some help from some other guys.” The “Kezar” administrative building has a plaque on it that reads “This building is Dedicated in Loving Memory of Barbara Cohen Finn, who Adored Being with people, her zest for Life is Embodied in The Spirit of the West End House camp. June 2000.” Staff and campers are always particularly impressed with the most sturdy and comfortable rocking chairs. “Those chairs are like rocks, they will last forever.” The Kezar building is also used for mail, canteen, meetings, program planning and administrative work.
Like most people, Mike is enamored with Bill Margolin. “He has a debilitating disease and he’s always there. At camp, at the club, he’s historic. He’s devoted his life to camp and he is the greatest camp ambassador.” He remembers Bill being a steady hand when his son came to camp and was feeling homesick.
Mike’s, 2 sons, Max and Sam were both campers. Sam was a long term camper/counselor and was a High Senior Captain, for the winning Blue Shield. Just like at camp, Sam continues to be a Baseball Umpire. He works for Division I college games and referees mens and women’s Basketball games. Mike’s oldest child, Sarah, is continuing the West End House Camp tradition by sending her 2 sons (Waylon and Van), from South Carolina, to camp for the first time this summer. “My daughter will get to see her grandmother’s name (on the Kezar building).”
In the winter, Mike lives in Fort Myers, Florida, although he will be moving to a new place in Naples. During the rest of the year, he lives in Reading, Mass and continues to work for the same company he’s been at since 1978, Atlas Paper Company. His son Max, has been working with him recently. The company is 103 years old, only 14 years younger than West End House Camp. They sell disposable products such as bags and boxes with personalized names and graphics.
When I asked Mike Finn what is was like to be considered “One of the boys,” he laughed. “I’m just one of the guys, they are my friends, we all get along. I’m no different, better or worse. Everyone is treated that way. “It (West End House Camp) must be a bright light in me. It must be because I’ve sent my sons and now my 2 grandsons, keeping the camp tradition alive, incredible memories.” Thank you Mike Finn for sharing how you became “One of the Boys.”
