By Martin Keith DeWitt

One correctional officer’s dedication to sports benefits the residents of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

Lower Yard Officer S. Finkbohner has assisted athletes in the facility for the past nine years regardless of their sport by providing controlled access to recreation lockers. The lockers contain the uniforms and equipment that athletes need to compete in sports of all types and the tools required to maintain the fields and courts.

“Without Finkbohner’s unrelenting dedication to the program, our Saturdays would be lost,” said Jerry “J.B.” Brown, coach of the San Quentin Warriors under-40 basketball team.

Finkbohner’s love of sports goes back to his childhood, during which he played multiple sports while growing up in the North Bay.

Although his sports career was cut short by injuries, he continued to be involved in athletics by lending his experience to others as a coach. “I have a good understanding of what works and what doesn’t, so I share because most guys here are just playing street ball,” said Finkbohner. “Here everyone is secure, and there is no judgment.”

When Finkbohner was 23 years old he was approached by a family friend, Miss O’Brien, who was a Correctional Counselor III at Folsom. She encouraged him to attend the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Academy, which he did.

During his career as a correctional officer he also managed the Petaluma Leghorns American Legion under-19 baseball team. In 2025, his team became state champions, which helped him to provide a positive impact on the San Quentin Giants baseball program. For the SQ Giants, he has recruited outside teams for them to compete against. Finkbohner also provided high-level instruction to players by getting former major league players to visit the team and provide knowledge to improve their individual skills. In doing so, he improved the quality of baseball being played at the institution.

Finkbohner has recruited teams he has competed against, including the Yuba City, Calif.,  Stripers American Legion under-19 senior league team, a team that were 2023 state champions; he also recruited  Butte Community College from Chico, Calif. Finkbohner continues to be a liaison as he arranges future games that include teams like the Fresno Athletics, the West Sacramento Samurais and the Alameda Athletics and Merchants.

Former professional athletes and private baseball instructors Chaz Meadows and coach Jason Ferber have come to San Quentin and led hitting and fielding drills. They also donated high-tech pitching and hitting tools to assist team members who are trying to improve their baseball skills.

San Quentin Giants’ team captain Carrington “The Natural” Russelle related a story of a time when he was working on his fielding and Finkbohner, whom he did not know, approached him on the field and gave him some tips on how to make backhand catches. After getting to know him, Russelle sought out Finkbohner to get advice on pitching.

Finkbohner’s first experience in athletics was playing basketball at the Boys & Girls Club in the third grade. At age 12 he was part of the first wave of travel ball baseball teams. Basketball was his first love but he excelled at baseball.

At Casa Grande High School he participated in basketball, baseball and football for all four years. At age 17 he played on the American Legion under-19 senior league team. After high school he started coaching baseball at the junior high level and coached at several local schools. In the 2020-21 season, Finkbohner began coaching football at Saint Vincent High School as a passing game coordinator. That team won state championships in 2023 and 2024.

“As his partner and friend, Finkbohner is always willing to give input, advice, and coaching to staff and their families when asked,” said Correctional Officer J. Azevedo, who works with him on the Lower Yard.

San Quentin resident Patrick Poteat, who assists in the maintenance of the baseball diamond, finds Finkbohner to be accommodating to his needs while being lighthearted, extremely professional and helpful in the execution of his responsibilities.

Bhatt explained that C/O Finkbohner provides Bhatt with observations of the SQRC sports complex while he is off-site. He said Finkbohner’s ability to interface with the volunteers and the teams give him a line of communication that will be missed. Finkbohner is transferring jobs to the hospital.

“It will be hard when [Finkbohner] moves,” said physical education teacher/coach Kuntal Bhatt. “He is a staple and makes sure things run smooth.”