The Bobcat Nation

This is a nice tribute to Craig Finberg.

From MSU=

Former Montana State basketball star Craig Finberg, who passed away last spring, remains a beloved basketball figure in the Treasure State. Beginning Saturday, Finberg's alma mater will pay tribute to him by presenting The Finny Award to the top Bobcat in the annual Cat-Griz game played in Bozeman.

Originally from Columbia Falls, Finberg earned First Team All-Big Sky honors as a junior and second team kudos as a sophomore and senior. He teamed with former Bobcat coach and all-time Big Sky wins leader Mick Durham for the Mick and Finny Show backcourt, finishing his career as the school's fourth-leading scorer (1,473) and all-time leader in assists (428, a record since broken).

A Wendy's of Montana Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame selection, Finberg was loved by basketball fans across Montana regardless of school affiliation for his many years as a high school and college coach in the state before losing his battle with cancer. A plaque honoring each year's Finny Award winner will reside in Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

Bobcat Basketball also honors Finberg's memory with a ceremony before Saturday's Bobcat-Grizzly men's game, which tips off at 7:05 pm.

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Very nice gesture that MSU is doing for Finny. It will help everyone remember a man who was a great player and coach, but even more importantly, a better person.

A true class act. Scrappy Columbia Falls boy. Hard-nosed Cat in a great era (Finberg, Arnold McDowell, etc.).

Finny was the best pure shooter I ever saw at any level. Nice they will have the tribute. I wish they had a highlight real of him but Lamberty said they no longer have any film of that era.

Given the excitement of the game, I neglected to notice which Bobcat won the first Finny Award. I also didn't see anything in the Chronicle. Does anyone know?

duelalumnicat wrote:Given the excitement of the game, I neglected to notice which Bobcat won the first Finny Award. I also didn't see anything in the Chronicle. Does anyone know?

No announcement yet. On the post game show Lasky indicated that it would be coming out sometime early next week.

wbtfg wrote:

duelalumnicat wrote:Given the excitement of the game, I neglected to notice which Bobcat won the first Finny Award. I also didn't see anything in the Chronicle. Does anyone know?

No announcement yet. On the post game show Lasky indicated that it would be coming out sometime early next week.

I gotta think it's going to Brandon Johnson. A fifth year senior-put the team on his back in the last 3 or 4 minutes-and got us the win. Navarre was clutch too-but I think it's going to be Johnson.

I think a case could be made for several guys Rush and Howard had great games as well. Howard's 12 points and nine rebounds was huge he and Johnson did a lot to hold the grizzlies off the glass. Rush had a great game too. Rush, Johnson or Howard would all be good choices as far as I'm concerend. When will they announce it?

I do not know if this matters but the TV gave the player of the game honors out to Qvale from Missoula and Howard from MSU but this award is different right?

According to Will Holden, Bobby Howard is the 1st recipient of the Finny Award. Congrats, Bobby!!

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Just wanted to say how great of a presentation that was at the game. Very emotional watching it, but it was a great time. Kudos to the Finberg family and friends, as well as the marketing director and MSU.

From MSU-

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Bobby Howard grew up with stories of Craig Finberg's greatness on the basketball floor. He came to know the former Montana State star during his days as a youngster at Bobcat basketball camps.

And for his effort against the Grizzlies on Saturday, Howard's name will forever be linked to that of one of MSU's greatest basketball legends. Howard earned the first Finny Award, presented to the top Bobcat in each season's Cat-Griz game played in Bozeman.

The Finny Award is named for Finberg, a first-team all-conference player at MSU in the late 1970s who became a beloved and universally-respected figure in Treasure State basketball circles for his work as a coach following his playing career. Finberg passed away last spring after a brief but valiant struggle with cancer.

Howard, a junior from Great Falls, scored 12 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds to lead the Bobcats past Montana 61-52 on Saturday. The 6-7 forward was also part of a Bobcat inside game that helped limit UM's star center Brian Qvale to two rebounds and one blocked shot.

"To be honored with something like that, it's priceless," Howard said. "It's amazing, to have your name in the same sentence as Craig Finberg. He's a great Bobcat, he was a better coach, and an ever better person."

"Bobby played extremely well and very hard Saturday," said MSU coach Brad Huse, like both Howard and Finberg a life-long Montanan. "He showed a lot of heart, and that certainly reflects how Craig Finberg played the game. I know it means a lot to Finny's family that the first Finny Award winner is a Montana kid."

Finberg had a tremendous impact on Howard's development as a player. A Columbia Falls native, Finberg coached Howard at MSU summer basketball camps. Howard's father Bob, now the head boys' basketball coach at Great Falls High, played on the MSU junior varsity squad during Finberg's senior season as a Bobcat.

"(Finberg coached) when I came to camp, and I knew him through my Dad and family," Bobby Howard said. "He was just a great person and a great mind, he was a great asset to the game. Everything he had to say, whether it was about shooting or life, it definitely sunk into me. It's really an honor."

After his playing days, Finberg enjoyed a stellar coaching career, including time at Beaverhead County High School and UM-Western, both in Dillon. Huse said the nature of MSU's win was a fitting tribute to Finberg, who remains among MSU's career leaders in both points and assists.

"Finny was all about the team," Huse said, "and Saturday's game was a team win. We had three or four players that really distinguished themselves and were considered for this award, but it's fitting that the first Finny Award goes to a Montana kid who has a family connection to the Finbergs."

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Hear Bobby Howard talk about winning the Finny Award: http://www.msubobcats.com/podcasts.aspx