From 2000-17, the Tigers men's basketball program used the Finch Center as its on-campus practice facility.
"When evaluating the head coaching position here over two years ago, the Larry O. Finch Center was one of the main draws for me," said head coach Sean Burdette, who took over the reins of the UofM volleyball program in January 2018. "The ability to walk in here on Day One and practice daily without interruption from other events was huge.
"Not many programs across the country can say they have their own dedicated practice facility, let alone practice and competition venue in the same space. This will truly be one of the best volleyball-only facilities in the country once completed."
The Finch Center volleyball competition court is mapped to run east-to-west, which also was the direction of the full-length basketball court in the facility. The south side of the court is where the team benches and scorer's table will reside. The north side – along with the two end zones – will hold temporary bleachers that can seat an estimated capacity of 400 fans. For this fall, volleyball match capacity has yet to be determined to accommodate social distancing protocol.
"It's very rare for a volleyball program to have its own facility. It's going to be super attractive to recruits to see that Memphis volleyball has its own practice center and playing facility without having to share (the space)," said Anna Hayes, a sophomore outside hitter. "Having our own facility was a big part of my decision when I was a recruit, and I'm sure it was important for other recruits too. It feels like home.
"It's important to practice where you play. By playing matches at the Finch (Center), we're going to get more of that homecourt advantage, that mentality. Most volleyball-playing facilities across the country are similar to the shape the Finch is. They're loud, and they're fun to play in. Some of my favorite experiences as a player have been in gyms just like the Finch."
Fans attending UofM home matches can park in the lot and garage, located just steps across the newly-landscaped pedestrian plaza outside the facility's west side. The pedestrian plaza was a part of the Hunter Harrison Memorial Bridge project that connected the north and south areas of the University's main campus. The Harrison Memorial Bridge opened in August 2019.
The Finch Center's main entrance is located on the facility's west side. Once inside, fans walk into a lobby area. From there, the competition arena is mere steps away.
"Having separate homecourts for our volleyball and women's basketball teams will be a major step forward for our coaches and student-athletes," said Director of Athletics Laird Veatch. "This is an important commitment to the sport of volleyball, giving Memphis one of the few volleyball-only facilities in the country."
Although playing their first season of competition matches in the Finch Center this fall, the Tigers actually moved to the facility in January 2018. The building became volleyball's new home with the opening of the new men's basketball's training facility, the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center, in November 2017. The men's basketball program moved to the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center during the 2017 holiday break in December, turning the Finch Center over to volleyball just after the 2018 new year began.
In their first two years in the Finch Center, volleyball has used the facility for daily practices, team meetings and camps. The Tigers continued to play their home matches at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse the past two seasons (2018, 2019).
"There are so many advantages this gives us – from leaving equipment out and set up for our players to use at any time to recruiting," Burdette said. "To see the vision our athletics department and administration has regarding facilities for our athletics programs is unparalleled. This will be a home court and recruiting advantage in the future."
The $3.2 million, 31,000-square-foot Finch Center still has many of the same amenities the men's basketball program enjoyed while it was housed in the facility for 17 years (2000-17).
On the ground level of the facility, the once regulation-sized basketball court has been turned into two volleyball practice areas. Off the practice courts are: a locker room; a video room; a players' lounge that is spacious enough to hold team functions; and a fully-equipped training room that includes heat packs, electrical stimulation units, ultrasound, whirlpools, three treatment and two taping tables, as well as a separate doctor's examination room.
The second level of the Finch Center has a dining area for the team's post-practice meals. In addition, coaches' locker rooms are on the second floor.
The Larry O. Finch Center was dedicated Feb. 24, 2000.
In Finch's three years as a player at Memphis, the Tigers recorded a 63-21 record and either won or tied for two Missouri Valley Conference championships. He scored 1,869 career points and averaged 26.8 points in the 1973 NCAA Tournament where the Tigers advanced to the national championship game.
Finch was named All-America honorable mention by both the Associated Press and UPI and was the 1972 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player of the Year.
As a coach, Finch was the winningest coach in UofM basketball history when he left his position. Finch posted a 220-130 record in 11 seasons. Under his leadership, Memphis advanced to the NCAA Tournament six times, including the Elite Eight in 1992 and the Sweet 16 in 1995.
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Volleyball To Play At Finch Center This Fall - Memphis Official Athletic Site
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