Ruden Sports News

Senior Spotlight is a question and answer series run by The Ruden Report’s senior interns: Will Dehmel, Alana Goldhaber and Natasha Taubenheim. The three have selected all the questions and athletes involved.)

Fairfield Ludlowe’s Finn Hoey has been on the lacrosse and hockey varsity teams since freshman year. He was captain of the hockey team as a sophomore, junior and senior year and lacrosse captain as a senior. He will continue with lacrosse at Sacred Heart.

WD: What advice would you give to underclassmen?

FH: The advice I would give underclassmen is work your tail off in the few years you have in high school. Show up first, leave last, come everyday ready to learn and work. I say this because even though it might feel like a burden at times, the hard work will show up in your performance and by your coaches. In school your freshman and sophomore and junior years, have the best grades you can possible have, especially if you want to play in college. Your grades will predict your success in the recruiting process. Also make working out a priority, it will help you tremendously in the future. Strength and speed is really important.

WD: What made your team special?

FH: What made both my hockey and lacrosse teams so special was that we were all amazing friends outside of the sport. We had a great bond and always felt like family. My teams could have fun, mess around, tell jokes and so forth. Then when it came down to game day, every single person locked in and played their hearts out. Our relationship went farther than teammates and we really benefited from knowing each other outside of sports with support, communication and discipline.

WD: What was your favorite tradition on your team?

FH: My favorite tradition for both sports is just hanging out after a big win. Nothing is better than everyone being exciting about the win and just going either to a diner for a team dinner or someone’s house and just hanging out. It’s a great way to become closer as a team and make amazing memories you will have forever.

WD: Who is your biggest role model and why?

FH: My biggest role model is definitely my dad. I look up to him in everything because he never ever gives up on anything. When my dad was born he was blind in one eye and he went on to play three sports at Hamilton College. He is a fighter and a survivor.

WD: What motivates you to work hard?

FH: What motivates me is my family. I told my parents as a freshman I wanted to play D1 lacrosse and from then on I worked as hard as possible to prove to them that I could do it. They believed in me. I definitely struggled and had moments of doubt, but knowing I would have let my family down I couldn’t. They are also there for me 24/7 supporting me and guiding me to be the best athlete/student/person I can be.

WD: What is the importance of sports?

FH: Obviously playing sports not only is fun, it keeps you in great physical and mental shape and provides discipline with a really strict schedule. It’s also teaches commitment. But I think what makes sports so important is the people you meet, the relationships you make, and the memories you create. If I didn’t play hockey or lacrosse I would not have met the great life long friends. I would not have met great coaches that aren’t even coaching me but are still reaching out and helping me if I need anything. These people have made a lasting impact on who I am as a person, a student, an athlete and a leader.