Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Finch Named N4A Student-Athlete of the Month
9.23.17 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) has announced its student-athletes of the month for September 2017, and Temple redshirt senior DE Sharif Finch was one of two athletes selected this month, alongside Joseph Gorman from Saint Joseph's.
In an effort to recognize and celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of these individuals, the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) will highlight one or more student-athletes each month for their determination to achieve success regardless of personal, academic and emotional challenges.
Born into poverty in Queens, New York, Finch moved with his parents and siblings to Richmond, Va. when he was eight. It was there that he was introduced to football, which would later become a pathway to a college education. Finch attends Temple University, playing linebacker and defensive end for the Owls football squad. While at Temple, Finch faced many challenges in the classroom, on the football field, and with his family.
In his tenure, Finch had to overcome many surgeries, but with every injury, he fought and earned back his starting position again and again. Despite his resilience to make it back to the gridiron, Finch and his family were dealt a crushing blow during the summer of 2015. He lost his mother to breast cancer. Losing his mother – his rock – would lead him to questioning if he wanted to continue to play football, even if he wanted to stay at Temple. In the classroom, he struggled to find his way. After declaring his major and finding his passion academically, Finch graduated in the fall of 2016, needing just three and a half years to complete his bachelor's degree. With one more year of eligibility left, Finch is currently competing in his final season on the gridiron as an Owl, while pursuing a master's degree.
During this past camp, Finch was awarded a single digit, a prestigious honor at Temple for being known as one of the toughest players both on and off the field. Finch now wears the #6.
On the field, Finch has been a force to be reckon with. The redshirt senior has registered 12 tackles, five for a loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
About N4A: N4A, which has been in existence since 1975, is a diverse educational service and professional non-profit organization. Membership of N4A includes academic support and student services personnel who are committed to enhancing opportunities for academic, athletics and personal success for student-athletes. For more information on N4A, visit www.nfoura.org. N4A is administered by NACDA, now in its 53rd year, administers 17 professional associations, including seven for the separate business units that report directly to the athletics directors. For more information on NACDA, visit www.nacda.com.
In an effort to recognize and celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of these individuals, the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) will highlight one or more student-athletes each month for their determination to achieve success regardless of personal, academic and emotional challenges.
Born into poverty in Queens, New York, Finch moved with his parents and siblings to Richmond, Va. when he was eight. It was there that he was introduced to football, which would later become a pathway to a college education. Finch attends Temple University, playing linebacker and defensive end for the Owls football squad. While at Temple, Finch faced many challenges in the classroom, on the football field, and with his family.
In his tenure, Finch had to overcome many surgeries, but with every injury, he fought and earned back his starting position again and again. Despite his resilience to make it back to the gridiron, Finch and his family were dealt a crushing blow during the summer of 2015. He lost his mother to breast cancer. Losing his mother – his rock – would lead him to questioning if he wanted to continue to play football, even if he wanted to stay at Temple. In the classroom, he struggled to find his way. After declaring his major and finding his passion academically, Finch graduated in the fall of 2016, needing just three and a half years to complete his bachelor's degree. With one more year of eligibility left, Finch is currently competing in his final season on the gridiron as an Owl, while pursuing a master's degree.
During this past camp, Finch was awarded a single digit, a prestigious honor at Temple for being known as one of the toughest players both on and off the field. Finch now wears the #6.
On the field, Finch has been a force to be reckon with. The redshirt senior has registered 12 tackles, five for a loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
About N4A: N4A, which has been in existence since 1975, is a diverse educational service and professional non-profit organization. Membership of N4A includes academic support and student services personnel who are committed to enhancing opportunities for academic, athletics and personal success for student-athletes. For more information on N4A, visit www.nfoura.org. N4A is administered by NACDA, now in its 53rd year, administers 17 professional associations, including seven for the separate business units that report directly to the athletics directors. For more information on NACDA, visit www.nacda.com.
Players Mentioned
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