It's hard to find a more decorated, accomplished AD than the "Finn-tastic" Bill Finn; and his contributions to Moraine Valley have brought Athletics to another level. His knowledge of the college's sports history, along with his sly wit, will be missed when he retires June 30.

Mention the name Bill Finn to someone within the college district, and people recognize him. Some call him Coach Finn, some played sports at Moraine Valley, others know him from high school, but they all equate him with success.

Ask Finn, and he'll say he doesn't lose, even in grammar school when he used the tagline "Win with Finn" to become the school president. He was a star basketball player at Richards High School and Loras College and knew plenty of guys over the years who went on to play or coach professionally. After graduating college, he took a job as a substitute teacher at Evergreen Park Community High School. Moraine Valley's AD at the time – Doug Gehrke – heard about this talented athlete and had just lost a men's basketball head coach. Gehrke asked Finn if he'd take the job.

"Bill was the fourth coach I hired. I was impressed with his background in basketball. He was a star at both Richards High School in Oak Lawn and Loras College in Iowa. I liked the way he was running his practices, coaching the games, the way he interacted with his players, and just the way he ran his basketball program," Gehrke explained.

Finn was Moraine Valley's head coach of men's basketball, a part-time role, from 1981 to 2004, amassing a 506-210 overall record and a number of awards. "I whipped the guys into shape, and we won. Gehrke was impressed," Finn recalled, and then he listed details of specific games that were won or lost down to the second.

He had twenty 20-plus win seasons, had one team ranked as high as sixth nationally, and led four teams to the national tournament, finishing in the Final Four in 1990 and 1999 and in the Elite Eight in 2001 and 2002. He earned All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year five times and NJCAA Region IV Coach of the Year four times, among a lengthy list of honors. He also was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, NJCAA Basketball Coaches, NJCAA Region IV, Skyway Conference and Richards High School Basketball/Athletics halls of fame.

When Gehrke stepped down as AD, he recommended Finn as his replacement, which was approved in 1983. From there, Finn built the program into what it is today. He added football for a few years, which included a huge pig roast on campus the week before the first game. When that disbanded, he assured there were six sports for men and six for women.

Early on, Finn said the college president at the time, Dr. Fred Gaskin, and chairman of the board, Burt Odelson, were catalysts for Moraine Valley sports. "They helped us grow, and we were high profile as a result," he noted.

In the late '80s, his confidence earned him a stipend to become director of Recruitment and Admissions for a few years. He helped set up a principal's counsel for monthly luncheons, a breakfast for high school counselors and had college employees reach out to the high schools. "I knew we could get more students here," he said.

Ultimately, he pared down the jobs to only AD but still had the eye to recruit talented high school athletes. When Athletics moved into the Health, Fitness & Recreation Center in 2014, it expanded their office and helped with recruitment. "I would tell a kid that if they wanted to play Division I sports, this is the place to start. That usually sells them," Finn explained. "It's all about getting good players here. I always wanted to get good, local athletes here."

Finn said Athletics turned a corner 10 years into his AD gig when they were able to give students scholarships. They could acquire more talented athletes and, in turn, win more.

Since 2004, he has helped bring home the Skyway Conference All-Sports trophy 10 times, which is based on the success of all the teams at Moraine Valley in comparison with the other conference colleges. "We've dominated many years, and it shows the breadth of the program and that our men and women both do well," he commented.

Part of that success is due to the coaches he's hired. "I'm fortunate that the people I've selected as coaches have been amazing. They put in the time, drive the vans, recruit. I'm really proud of the coaches we've brought in."

Finn earned the college's Nancy Blane Guerra Award in 2003 and the Innovation of the Year award for the International Sports Exchange Program in 2008. For all that and more, he has been an asset to the college.

"Bill says that I started all this. I say that I just opened the door for him to take it over. He stepped in and did a wonderful job of building the athletic program up to the point that it is today," Gehrke commented. "I am very proud of everything he has done. It's hard to believe it has been 40 years since he was hired as AD. The college and community were very lucky to have him."

At Finn's retirement party June 1, several former athletes, coaches and coworkers came out to share their love for and appreciation of him. He changed lives and left a mark on many and on Moraine Valley Athletics.

"Bill has been an exceptional AD known for his great leadership in the Skyway Conference and Region IV, and has brought many championship trophies home to Moraine Valley. He has led our athletes to succeed not only in all the sports the college offers but also helped our athletes soar academically," said Dr. Normah Salleh-Barone, Moraine Valley vice president of Student Development. "The impact he has played on our athletes is amazing, and many have returned to be recognized in our hall of fame. Bill will be missed, but his legacy lives on."

After Finn makes his last trip to campus, he wants to do something he hasn't done in a while – relax. Then he wants to take up golf. But much of his time will be spent watching his teenage daughter play sports and helping the Lincoln-Way West varsity boys basketball team.

Although Finn misses the old days of Athletics, what he'll miss most in retirement are his co-workers. "Me and Geoff Davis [athletic trainer/equipment manager] are like brothers. I remember hiring him. Best hire ever," he said. "I'll absolutely miss the people in Athletics. That'll be the hardest part of leaving."

After all these years at Moraine Valley, Finn may be ready to retire but has a soft spot in his heart for the place. "I literally grew up at Moraine Valley and have been through every possible stage you can go through," he said. "It's like a second home to me. I can count on many coworkers who are like family members. I'll miss it."

General McArthur III, formerly Moraine Valley's athletic student success specialist, was hired as the new AD starting July 1.