When the 2010-11 school year (and women's basketball season) kicks into gear, the Capital Athletic Conference will be missing one of the cornerstones of the conference. 

Bill Finney, long-time athletic director, women's basketball coach and one of the founders of the conference, is retiring with his wife Judy (MU's sports information director) this summer after more than a quarter of a century at Marymount University.

A fiery competitor, beloved coach, husband and father, insightful administrator, closet funnyman and supporter/friend of everyone in the CAC, Coach Finney took a few moments to participate in the CAC website's INTRODUCING ... feature.

What is your background in the sport you play?  I have 27 years of coaching at Marymount, six years coaching high school basketball, four years of playing at Syracuse University, four years of playing in high school and coaching more youth teams and AAU teams (when it was legal) when my daughters were playing than I can count.  

What is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spot on campus is my office because I can easily “veg out” and have my phone and dvd player (with remote) handy at all times.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in?  I'm a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, CAC Board of Directors, Arlington Better Sports Club, many local coaching seminars and clinics.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  In one word, the economy.  It continues to be a struggle for students to afford college and for the colleges to budget creatively.  And then, it continues for the students, who upon graduation, will need to find jobs.

What was your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   I was a History Education major – It really is true that you learn from past experiences and that certainly applies to coaching basketball.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?  The most influential person in my life has been Coach John Wooden, the legendary men’s basketball coach at UCLA.  I have read many of his books and greatly admire his philosophy.  In fact, before every game, I read excerpts from his books.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  DO YOUR BEST!!  in everything that you do!

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  It’s a tossup between golfing and my weekly poker game with friends.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  Arnold Palmer – he is a true champion, who remains humble to this day.  He made the PGA what it is today. 

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?    John Wooden (see above for reasons)  Harry Truman because he was, I believe, the last president who could walk the streets of DC in the early morning and when he finished his term packed up his car and drove with his wife back to Missouri.  He didn’t have any of the same restrictions that today’s presidents have with security.  My Grandfather – he died when I was two, but from what other family members told me, he was a real character.  (The only thing I might not like about eating with him is that he put ketchup on everything – even chocolate cake!)