W. Roxbury Native, Roxbury Latin Tackle Finn Sullivan Ready To Lead

West Roxbury native and Roxbury Latin starting tackle Finn Sullivan knows expectations are high for the Foxes – and, in particular, the team's offensive line – entering the 2010 season. He fully expects to live up to them.

"We had a good line last year," Sullivan says of the group that paved the way for the team's rushing game to nearly 3 thousand total yards last fall. "We have a few starters back and we expect the same success, if not more."

Sullivan's talent on the field speaks for itself. This season, however, he's being asked to fill a new, bigger role in the locker room.

"Coach [Pat Ross] expects me and the other juniors to be more vocal," he says. "Last year we had a good group of seniors and juniors who took on the leadership role so that us sophomores could just play. This year, there's more of a challenge to keep the team on task while also performing even better than last year."

The early returns on the new leadership venture are promising.

"It's good," he says. "We've only had a couple practices so far but everyone's really working hard and seems motivated so I'm not worried about it at all."

Sullivan, who lives in town with his mother, Mary Beth Heffernan, and his sister Oona, attended St. Theresa's before starting at Roxbury Latin. Like many who attend private school, he enjoys strong social circles both at school and in town.

"I have a close group of friends here at Roxbury Latin, and my close friends in West Roxbury," he explains. "I like that I have both groups."

As Sullivan looks ahead to the start of the season on September 25, he is also beginning to consider his long-term plans. A three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and lacrosse, he hopes to continue his athletic career at the collegiate level. Questions of where he'll play and which game he'll pursue, however, remain up in the air.

"I'm still trying to figure out if I want to play football or lacrosse in college," he says. "Right now I'm leaning lacrosse, but I've got to go out and play and see where the interest is and what schools I could realistically get in to."

For now, the Foxes are happy to feature him as the stalwart of their offensive line.