Edward Leo Finnigan (May 10, 1911 â July 10, 1968) was an American football and basketball coach and player. He served as the head football coach at BaldwinâÂÂWallace CollegeâÂÂnow known as Baldwin Wallace UniversityâÂÂfrom 1949 to 1950 and at Western Reserve UniversityâÂÂnow known as Case Western Reserve UniversityâÂÂfrom 1951 to 1965, compiling a career college football coaching record of 68âÂÂ52âÂÂ9. Finnigan was also the head basketball coach at BaldwinâÂÂWallace from 1935 to 1940, tallying a mark of 25âÂÂ56.
In high school, Finnigan was a star athlete at John Adams High School in Cleveland.
Finnigan was the first Western Reserve University athlete to earn nine varsity lettersâÂÂthree each in football, basketball, and trackâÂÂat a time when freshmen were unable to play varsity sports. He was football team captain and quarterback his senior year in 1932 leading the Red Cats to a 7âÂÂ1 record.
His best sport was basketball, where he was an All-American during the 1932âÂÂ33 season.
In recognition of his many contributions to the athletic community, both the cities of Berea and Cleveland proclaimed November 4, 1967 as "Eddie Finnigan Day".
Finnegan died of cancer July 10, 1968, at the Cleveland Clinic.
Present day, the roadway in between DiSanto Field and Nobby's Ballpark is named "Finnegan's Way."