Richard Finley played midfield at Freeport High School on Long Island, where he was a member of the championship team in 1957 and selected First-Team All-Long Island/All-Metro in 1957 and 1958. After a year at Hofstra University, Finley transferred to Syracuse University, where he was selected an honorable mention All-American in 1960, Second-Team All-American in 1961, and First-Team All-American in 1962. He played for the North team in the 1962 North/South Collegiate All-Star game.

Considered an innovator for the game of lacrosse, Finley was the first to use the over-the-head and wrap checks that are part of every player's arsenal these days. And his use of a shooting string broke new ground. Finley continued his involvement with the game as a coach at Manlius Military Academy in 1963 and 1964, and at Freeport High School from 1965-73. He coached Freeport High School to a championship in 1968. In 1971, he was selected Man of the Year for his contributions to lacrosse in Freeport. He was inducted to the Long Island Metropolitan Chapter of US Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1988.
Finley currently resides in Titusville, Fla.