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Notre Dame Football

Finke Seeing Hard Work Pay Off

September 6, 2018
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Walk-on to scholarship player and now a starting wide receiver and return man on a Top-10 Notre Dame team, senior Chris Finke knows the value of hard work and consistency on the practice field.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder knows the value of consistency regardless of the opponent week in and week out.

“We are focusing on moving forward and not lingering on the first week,” Finke emphasized when he met with reporters this week. “We realize that every game is extremely important and every day in practice is also the most important so just taking it one day at a time.

“Of course, there was a lot of hype for the Michigan game, but we try to keep everything consistent. We’ve got the process that we have been nailing down since January, and we are trying to stick to that.”

Coming off a game where he led all Irish pass catchers with three catches for 55 yards including a 43-yard acrobatic touchdown grab in the first quarter, the former walk-on is working hard every day to improve with the rest of his fellow receivers.

“Coach (Del) Alexander has challenged us wide receivers, in particular, to play with more speed, more discipline, and more finish,” explained Finke. “That is what we are focusing on.

“In practice, we always work on framing the ball, keeping our eyes to the catch and when we have a defender on us, working on plucking the ball over them and pull it over our heads.”

 Finke didn’t get national attention as a highly-scouted recruit, but he took a chance he never thought would come from Notre Dame as a walk-on. He earned his role with the relentless work ethic his teammates and coaches love.

“Heading into my senior of high school I didn’t expect that I would be playing college football, I didn’t have anybody knocking on my door asking me to do it,” the gritty wideout stated. “As the year went on, it looked like I might get a chance to play somewhere and when Notre Dame came knocking, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

“Even though it wasn’t a scholarship offer, I felt like I couldn’t pass up on the chance to come here, play on the football team and get a degree here. So, from there it is just about coming to work and bringing the work ethic I have tried to bring my whole life every day. A lot of things have gone right for me, and I have a lot of people I am thankful for.”

The need for more has gotten Finke the role he plays in the Notre Dame offense in 2018.

“At times, if I think back it is a good feeling knowing I have come a long way and all the frustrations and hard work have paid off in a sense…I always want more. I never want to plateau. I just want to keep climbing. I am never satisfied with where I am at.”

 
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