Leadership
about us
Dan and John in 2006
PATHLETE was founded by two high school friends, John Finch and Dan Black, who both pursued collegiate sports at Purdue University. John was a long snapper for Purdue’s football team from 2006 to 2010, while Dan played baseball for Purdue from 2007 to 2009.
We launched this business because we’ve experienced firsthand the transformative impact of coaching in our lives and wanted to share that knowledge with the next generation.
Connecting/Teaching/Coaching/Training the NEXT generation.
Our initiative with Pathlete is to establish a coaching platform to connect college and upcoming amateur athletes. We aim to provide a platform where experienced coaches can impart their knowledge and skills to the next generation of student athletes.
Through personalized training and mentorship, coaches not only enhance athletes’ technical abilities but also cultivate essential life skills like teamwork, perseverance, and leadership.
Our coaching services represent a pathway to personal growth and athletic excellence. By receiving guidance from dedicated and knowledgeable coaches, athletes can reach their full potential, both on and off the field.
Parents play a crucial role in our vision as well. By connecting with our network of highly motivated college athletes turned coaches, parents can rest assured that their children are learning from positive role models who embody dedication and sportsmanship. Moreover, our coaching business offers parents the opportunity to engage with the highest levels of competition in the nation, fostering a supportive community around their children’s athletic journey.
Ultimately, our coaching business aims to create a positive and enriching environment where coaches, players, and parents alike can thrive. We believe that by investing in the development of young athletes, we not only shape future sports stars but also contribute to building confident, resilient individuals who are prepared for success both on and off the field.
John Finch
Founder
Prior to establishing Pathlete, John worked as a collegiate marketer for Learfield Sports and IMG Sports Marketing as a General Manager for several prominent Division I properties. John has vast experience in collegiate sponsorship, marketing, and branding. John will continue to maintain close relationships with athletic administrations in pursuit of expanding Pathletes vision into student athletes Name, Image & Likeness. John oversees Pathletes NIL comprehensive rights, sponsorship, digital marketing and business development.
John is a three-time letter winner football long snapper at Purdue University
Dan Black
Co-Founder
“As an athlete you are only held back by the amount of work you are willing to put in. “
Dan is a graduate of Purdue University Knoy School of Technology as an Organizational Leadership Major with a concentration in computer science.Â
After completing his Junior season for Purdue University’s Baseball team Dan was selected in the 14th round of the 2009 MLB draft to the Chicago White Sox. From 2009-2016 he competed in several classes of minor league baseball, Dominican Winter League, Korean Baseball League, Mexican Baseball League & represented team USA in in the 2015 WSBC Premier 12 tournament earning a sliver medal. Following his athletic career Dan has managed application development & cyber security programs for several prominent software corporations.
Dan is a three-time letter winner baseball player at Purdue University