JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 3, 2025) — East Tennessee State University Athletics is deeply saddened to announce the passing of ETSU Athletic Hall of Famer Mark Finucane, one of the most decorated student-athletes in Buccaneer cross country and track and field history.

Finucane competed for the Bucs from 1974–77 as a dual-sport athlete in cross country and track. During his career, he established himself among the nation's elite distance runners. He earned Cross Country All-America honors in both 1975 and 1976 and capped his collegiate career in 1977 by winning the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Cross Country Championship and being named OVC Athlete of the Year.

A four-time All-OVC and All-NCAA District III performer in cross country, Finucane earned All-Conference honors twice and was a key member of the 1977 Buccaneer squad that went undefeated and set an NCAA region record for lowest point total — a mark that still stands today. He also gained international recognition, ranking sixth on the World Junior List in both the three-mile run and the 10,000 meters in 1975.

In 1997, Finucane was inducted into the ETSU Athletics Hall of Fame, forever solidifying his place among the program's all-time greats. Following his collegiate career, he competed professionally for six years, running across the United States, Europe and Japan.

Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Finucane devoted his life to service and his community. He served as an assistant fire chief in Johnson City and, in his later years, worked with Axis Security, where he remained a steady and familiar presence at ETSU games and local events.

Funeral Arrangements
Services for Mark Finucane will be held at Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 East Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee.

Visitation: Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.