2008 Woodie Awards
Fink silences doubters, bags rookie award
Brian Fitzsimmons
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
You'll hear the snickers suggesting that the football team had a humbling experience in somewhat of a rebuilding year. But even though the Pioneers finished 3-9, we were humbled more than the Pioneers actually were.
Losing the likes of star quarterback and one-time UNLV transfer Tyler Arciaga to graduation could've spelt doom for any team with a young offense. Dale Fink entered camp as the probable starting replacement for Arciaga, who is now playing professionally in Austria, and questions quickly arose.
Actually, we didn't give him much breathing room.
After two blowout losses where Fink tied the school record for touchdown passes in a game and posted incredible numbers, we still inquired about his talents. Is he really the long- term answer? Could this kid really make us forget Arciaga?
Fink found out Tuesday afternoon he is the recipient of the Northeast Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year. Humble pie doesn't taste too good after so much pumpkin pie this past week, huh?
What's more remarkable is his ability to put his own accolades aside for his team's wellbeing.
"It feels good in one sense," he said in a phone interview Tuesday night after learning he was also named to the second team all-league's roster. "But I'd much rather win the conference than get an award. It took hard work and dedication, but I'm not satisfied."
The Swansea, Ill. native threw a league-high 23 touchdown passes and was picked off just eight times. He threw a scoring strike in every game he played in, posted a 142.1-passer efficiency rating, and set a school record for completion percentage at 62.3.
Fink anchored a potent offense, which was rated third in the conference for putting up an average of 368.7 yards per contest, and squashed all skepticism despite missing two games with an ankle injury.
In the beginning, you couldn't help but scratch your head wondering if this freshman signal-caller could succeed. Now, it's impossible not to think he won't shatter all the school records in all passing categories.
It should be intriguing to see Sacred Heart on the gridiron the next three years because there hasn't been a four-year starting quarterback here in recent memory. It will also allow time for coach Paul Gorham's recruiting classes to play with Fink.
"Next year I want to win conference and go to a national playoff," Fink said.
This time, we'll be there rooting without the doubts.
Losing the likes of star quarterback and one-time UNLV transfer Tyler Arciaga to graduation could've spelt doom for any team with a young offense. Dale Fink entered camp as the probable starting replacement for Arciaga, who is now playing professionally in Austria, and questions quickly arose.
Actually, we didn't give him much breathing room.
After two blowout losses where Fink tied the school record for touchdown passes in a game and posted incredible numbers, we still inquired about his talents. Is he really the long- term answer? Could this kid really make us forget Arciaga?
Fink found out Tuesday afternoon he is the recipient of the Northeast Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year. Humble pie doesn't taste too good after so much pumpkin pie this past week, huh?
What's more remarkable is his ability to put his own accolades aside for his team's wellbeing.
"It feels good in one sense," he said in a phone interview Tuesday night after learning he was also named to the second team all-league's roster. "But I'd much rather win the conference than get an award. It took hard work and dedication, but I'm not satisfied."
The Swansea, Ill. native threw a league-high 23 touchdown passes and was picked off just eight times. He threw a scoring strike in every game he played in, posted a 142.1-passer efficiency rating, and set a school record for completion percentage at 62.3.
Fink anchored a potent offense, which was rated third in the conference for putting up an average of 368.7 yards per contest, and squashed all skepticism despite missing two games with an ankle injury.
In the beginning, you couldn't help but scratch your head wondering if this freshman signal-caller could succeed. Now, it's impossible not to think he won't shatter all the school records in all passing categories.
It should be intriguing to see Sacred Heart on the gridiron the next three years because there hasn't been a four-year starting quarterback here in recent memory. It will also allow time for coach Paul Gorham's recruiting classes to play with Fink.
"Next year I want to win conference and go to a national playoff," Fink said.
This time, we'll be there rooting without the doubts.
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