The Big Book of Football Stories
Rich in history and detail, The Big Book of Football Stories will entertain, enlighten, and amuse. These are enduring stories that have passed the test of time and attracted generations of readers. They are custom-made for the imaginative reader who seeks fantastic tales from the gridiron.
You Saw Me on the Radio
For forty-eight years, Dave South was the radio voice of Southwest Conference and Texas A&M University football, basketball, and baseball. Along the way, he amassed a treasure trove of unforgettable stories, anecdotes, and conversations with noteworthy personalities, both on and off the field. In You Saw Me on the Radio, he collects some of his favorite stories from the broadcast booth, locker room, and other behind-the-scenes locations. This collection of lively tales is organized around themes such as "Memorable Games," "Players," "Interviews," "Goofs," and "Fans." These good-natured recollections of a long and colorful career are accompanied by a gallery of photographs gathered from South's interactions with Aggie sports greats, iconic venues, and other people, places, and events that have created treasured sports memories over almost five decades. With a wink and a generous dose of self-deprecating humor, South relates some of his most embarrassing gaffes and miscues, including the time he conducted an awkward interview with the Treasurer of the United States--while having no idea who she was or what she did. He tells about the infamous "yellow spot" on Kyle Field. He reveals the truth behind "beanie weenies," the culinary secret weapon of Texas A&M football recruiters. And of course, South pays heartfelt tribute to the coaches, players, fans, and fellow broadcasters who became his friends through the years. Loaded with accounts of unforgettable contests, hilarious moments, and poignant memories, You Saw Me on the Radio is sure to be a favorite for fans of Texas A&M University athletics and sports lovers everywhere. The author's proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.
Upset at Oakmont
In 1919, at Oakmont Country Club, seventeen-year-old Bobby Jones fought his way to the finals for a chance to make history as the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship. Standing in his way was twenty-one-year-old Dave Herron, a Pittsburgh native and former Oakmont caddie. Despite his relatively unknown status and to the shock of many, Dave beat Bobby with the most spectacular golf--under par at Oakmont--in U.S. Amateur history. Upset at Oakmont is a dual biography of two gifted child athletes in early twentieth-century America. One, in the 1920s, would become as famous as Babe Ruth; the other would be quickly forgotten and his victory forever tarnished. Although both golfers were children of affluence, their pathways to the 1919 U.S. Amateur were starkly different because of their differing dispositions, their parents, the impact of place ("New South" Atlanta vs. Steel-City Pittsburgh), and the timing of World War I in shaping their adolescence. Rigorously researched, Upset at Oakmont adds new dimension to understanding the revolution in American golf that started with Francis Ouimet's victory at Brookline in 1913. Employing new statistical data to challenge previous narratives, this book re-creates the epic clash between Jones and Herron in exciting detail, while employing novel empirical methods to advance scholarship on the "Golden Era" of American amateur golf.
The Forgotten Springboks
Step back in time to the thrilling year of 1912, where rugby forged its indomitable spirit, and a legendary team emerged to win all five of the international matches they played. "Forgotten Springboks" takes you on an voyage with this iconic South African national rugby team, as they embark on an extraordinary tour of England, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.Led by Billy Millar, the tour captain, the Springboks embarked on a quest that would forever change the course of rugby's narrative. As they set foot on foreign soil, they were met with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, but these determined men were ready to showcase the strength of their spirit and the finesse of their game. Yet this remained unrecorded, until now.The book delves into the heart-stopping moments on the field, where every try, every scrum, and every tackle took the spectators' breath away. With unparalleled unity and skill, the Second Springboks defeated their opponents, carving a path of triumph wherever they went. Each match was a test of their mettle, and each victory became a testament to their unwavering determination. Beyond the rugby pitches, the book offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of these remarkable individuals who went on to become soldiers, farmers, miners, and doctors who faced major adversity.
Double Crossover
As they compete in leagues around the world, elite women's basketball players continually adjust to new cultures, rules, and contracts.Courtney M. Cox follows athletes, coaches, journalists, and advocates of women's basketball as they pursue careers within the sport. Despite all attempts to contain them or prevent forward momentum, they circumvent expectations and open new possibilities within and outside of the game. Throughout the book, Cox explores the intersection of race and gender against the backdrop of the WNBA, NCAA, and other leagues within the United States and around the world. Blending interviews and participant observation with content analysis, she charts how athletes and advocates of women's hoops illuminate new forms of navigating the global sports-media complex.Timely and original, Double Crossover takes readers into the lived world of women's basketball to shed light on the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of today's players and those around them.
Fish, Chips & Football
Fish, Chips & Football perfectly captures the joy of non-league football - discovering new towns and villages, chatting to new friends, pubs, pints, burgers, banter, delayed trains, lots of laughs - and groundhopping. The author watched 103 games from his base in Eastbourne and along the coast from Dover to Havant - from the shiny professionals in their stadiums to those who play on muddy, forgotten fields. This is a story of how football used to be.
