For the better part of a decade, the Brose name was synonymous with Hempfield Area athletics. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Fintan Brose became a dominant force on the football field as a two-way lineman for the Spartans. Since then, Brose has continued to excel on both sides of the ball collegiately at the University of Delaware. As a result, he’s under the spotlight for the latest edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Brose cracked the varsity roster during his freshman season at Hempfield Area in 2016. That year, the Spartans went 5-6 overall, including 4-2 in the conference, earning a WPIAL Class 6A playoff berth. However, Hempfield Area fell to North Allegheny in the quarterfinals, concluding the season.

As a sophomore, Brose became a focal point of the Spartans, as he compiled 43 tackles on defense. That year, Hempfield Area went just 1-9 overall, including 0-6 in the conference, and missed the playoffs.

The following campaign, Brose registered 55 tackles and 2.5 sacks, earning All-Conference recognition on the defensive line. The Spartans went 3-7 overall, including 1-7 in the conference, missing the postseason once again.

In his senior year in 2019, Brose compiled 51 tackles and 2.5 sacks, again collecting All-Conference accolades. Hempfield Area improved to 4-6 overall, including 2-6 in the conference, but still missed the playoffs.

In addition to his exploits in the gridiron, Brose also competed in basketball, baseball, and track and field during his time at Hempfield Area.

His future was in football, though, as he received 25 Division I offers, and opted to join his older brother Braden at the University of Delaware.

Brose’s freshman campaign at Delaware was shifted from the fall to the spring, as he played in three games, making two tackles, and earning snaps on both the offensive and defensive lines. During that campaign, the Blue Hens went 7-1 overall, including 4-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Delaware qualified for the FCS playoffs, defeating Sacred Heart and Jacksonville State, but falling to top-seeded South Dakota State in the semifinals.

In 2021, Brose appeared in 10 games, making five tackles. The Blue Hens, meanwhile, went 5-6 overall, including a mark of 3-5 in the CAA.

After playing primarily on defense in his first two campaigns, Brose shifted to offense this season, and has been a fixture on the offensive line, playing in all nine contests. To this point, Delaware has gone 7-2, including 4-2 in the CAA, with two conference tilts remaining in the season.

Fintan dedicated time from his busy schedule to field questions about his transition between defense and offense, how his brother factored into his decision to attend Delaware, and the value of playing multiple sports in high school.

Q: You initially played on the defensive line, but have shifted to the offensive line and have become a key component. How have you made that transition?

A: I've made this transition relatively smoothly, mostly because O-line is something that I am familiar with. I played a lot of the position in high school with a great coach (Steve Miller). Along with that, I have the pleasure of playing under Coach Rogers, who is one of the best coaches there is in the country, here at Delaware.

Q: How have you grown as a player during your time at Delaware?

A: I have mostly grown in understanding the game much more than in high school. Being able to understand the ins and outs of not only your position, but football as a whole, helps you a lot.

Q: What are some underrated aspects of playing on the offensive line?

A: O-line is a position that has to work together as a unit, so our bond becomes much stronger than other position groups. Also, the feeling of moving a grown man where they do not want to go is a great feeling.

Q: You play with your older brother, Braden. What has that experience been like?

A: Having the opportunity to play with Braden again like in high school is special. Not many brothers can say they have that opportunity.

Q: What team and individual goals did you set for 2022?

A: Our team goal at the beginning of the season is the standard every year, which is to win the CAA, as well as contend for the national title. My individual goals were simply to help the team and the O-line in any way possible with my effort.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Delaware?

A: My decision was in large part due to Braden being here. From that, I was able to immerse myself in the campus and start to really enjoy the recruiting process. It's a great school athletically and academically.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: My major is criminal justice, and I plan to go into a job in that field.

Q: What has been your favorite aspect of college, outside of football?

A: My favorite aspect of college in Delaware is in general being in a different area and meeting new people. Delaware is so close to a bunch of cities and small areas that are all different in their own way, and meeting the different personalities that come with it has been something that I have enjoyed.

Q: You also played basketball, baseball, and track and field at Hempfield Area. How did those sports benefit you?

A: Playing multiple sports benefited me in so many ways, and I recommend anyone who wants to be a multiple-sport athlete to do so. Anything from footwork and explosiveness in basketball and track and field to the quick side-to-side movement in baseball, it all helps.

Q: What was your fondest memory in high school?

A: Sports involve all of my kindest memories. There is no better feeling to go out and compete with all the people you have grown up with. It did not matter the sport in particular, I found all of them really enjoyable.

Q: Who was the best football player you played against during your time at Hempfield?

A: I remember playing against Derek Devine (from North Allegheny), who was really good my sophomore year, but there were a lot of great linemen during my playing time.

Q: Do you have any superstitions or rituals before, during, or after a game?

A: No superstitions, but I do put on my uniform the same exact way every time.

Q: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: Steak and rice; I would never get tired of it.

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot, or a place you've always wanted to go?

A: Easy answer - Hilton Head Island; the greatest vacation spot my parents started taking me to a long time ago. It was my favorite then, and still is today.