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 NC Sports Book Reviews

Note: These reviews compiled by Dr. Ron Hyatt. See disclaimer on front page.

ACC Basketball
Bjarkman, Peter C. Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball. Masters Press, Indianapolis, IN, 1996.
The history of the Atlantic Coast Conference, perhaps the premier basketball conference in the country, is featured in this work. The outstanding players and coaches who have participated in the ACC are well documented. Legends, great sporting feats, and playoffs are covered in depth. The book is an ambitious attempt to capture more than four decades of the ACC. It is an excellent overview, but there are other books dealing with basketball in North Carolina which are equally as successful. For basketball aficionados, it is an excellent addition to their library.

Coach K, Building the Duke Dynasty
Doyel, Gregg.  Coach K, Building the Duke Dynasty.  The Story of Mike Krzyzewski and the Winning Tradition at Duke University.  Addax Publishing Group, Lenexa, KS, 1999.
This is an excellent overview of Coach K's success at Duke University and his methods to winning.  The author of the book says, "Along the way Krzyzewski has ruffled (UNC's basketball coach Dean) Smith's considerable plumage, bucked heads with former mentor Bobby Knight of the Indiana Hoosiers and offered no apologies to anyone."  A brief story of Coach K's early years is provided along with some of his experiences at Army.  It is a superb book for Duke fans, but suffers from a lack of objectivity.  The book is written in chronological fashion and finds few faults with either the Duke program or Coach K.  His stressful time in the early 1990's is discussed as his return to the 1995-96 season.  The human interest side of Coach K is provided along with his relationships with his players.  The writer does an excellent job of detailing Coach K's relationship with The Chronicle, Duke's student newspaper and of his excellent basketball records.  This book is a must-read for Duke fans and a must-have book for basketball coaches.

The Elements of Scoring
Floyd, Raymond with Jaime Diaz. The Elements of Scoring. A Master's Guide to the Art of Scoring Your Best When You're Not Playing Your Best. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1998.
A superb "how-to" book by North Carolina's own Ray Floyd. Ray, who has won 35 tournaments including 4 majors, shares the secret of his success with golfers of all ages. In this book, Ray promotes two ideas: play the game of golf comfortable and avoid the big mistake. Ray passes along tips of the game and some of the secrets of his success. This is another excellent golf book by Raymond, and it merits being read by golfers at all levels of ability. This author wishes he could apply some of these techniques to his own game. A well-done book covering the basics of reading the greens to putting to playing out of sand traps. He suggests that the putter should "be quietly arrogant on the greens." Excellent introductions by Arnold Palmer and Fred Couples help make this an excellent book.

An Olympic Journey: The Saga of an American Hero, LeRoy T. Walker.
Gaddy, Charles. An Olympic Journey: The Saga of an American Hero, LeRoy T. Walker. Griffin Publishing Group, Glendale, California, 1998.
Every once in a while, a book is published that is worthy of being read by the entire family, and indeed the family of man. After reading this book, one must believe in America, in ability, in a well-lived life, and in a fantastic story. Dr. LeRoy Walker was the youngest of thirteen children born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1918. He came up the hard way and became one of the greatest track coaches of the century, a noted educator, the chancellor of North Carolina Central University, and the President of the United States Olympic Committee. This must-read and must-have book tells the life story of Dr. LeRoy Walker and his rise to glory. His friendships with Bill Friday and Al Buehler are told in great detail.
This well-written book is filled with so many good things that it is difficult for a reviewer to be objective in reviewing it. Since the reviewer has been privileged to know Dr. Walker from 1960, he freely admits that he may lose some objectivity in his review, but this book is of interest to athletes, people with aspirations and dreams, coaches, educators, sportsmen, and average citizens who are proud of Dr. Walker and his accomplishments. These accomplishments are provided, but no work can chronicle all of his contributions in the areas of human relations, sports participation, and other areas. However, Charlie Gaddy comes very close to doing this. The saga of LeRoy Walker's life is the story of America and is worth being told over and over again. He has been awarded seventeen honorary degrees and over fifteen halls of fame. He has been given the Olympic Order, the highest honor given bestowed by the International Olympic Committee and has been president of the major sports organizations. A father, a grandfather, and a wonderful human being are some of his descriptors. A salute to Dr. Walker for his life so well lived and to Charlie Gaddy for telling this marvelous story.

Go For the Goal
Hamm, Mia.  Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide to Winning in Soccer and Life.  Harper Collins, New York, 1999.
Mia Hamm needs no introduction to excellence and to women's soccer, where she has become a spokesperson and a role model for young female athletes.  In this book, she provides some of her philosophy towards soccer and life, and ties the two together quite well.  This inspiring story is filled with personal anecdotes and excellent instructional photographs.  Mia, who has been U.S. Soccer's player of the year for five consecutive years, is superb in her philosophy and in her teaching/coaching techniques.  The book is a marvelous read, and in it, she introduces herself and her military family to us.  But more important, she tells how she became a soccer legend.  She mentions her older brother Garrett, who died in 1997, as her major source of inspiration, and cites coach Anson Dorrance as the most influential person in her life.  This book is a tribute to Mia the person, Mia the athlete, and Mia the role model.  Soccer coaches, parents, and soccer players will love this book.  It should be in every soccer coach's library.

I Can't Accept Not Trying
Jordan, Michael. I Can't Accept Not Trying. Harper San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 1994.
In this short, excellent book, Michael Jordan shares his rules of life and sports. MJ gives his philosophy about life and sport and his personal creed in this book. A good investment for young athletes to have in their library because of teh opportunities to glean useful inspiration and insight. It's an opportunity to read about how one of the greatest players in the game worked hard and maintained a positive attitude as he went about becoming great.

This Game's the Best!
Karl, George with Don Yeager. This Game's the Best! So Why Don't They Quit Screwing With It? New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997.
George Karl states his views on the NBA, the players, the media and other elements that make the game great. He tells marvelous stories about basketball and the NBA, but he also relates his experience as a player at Chapel Hill in pages 47-65. He is high in his praise of Coach Dean Smith and Carolina. An excellent collector's book for North Carolina sports fans and for basketball lovers around the nation.

Every Shot I Take
Love III, Davis. Every Shot I Take. Simon and Schuster, New York City, 1997.
This excellent book by Davis Love III is a tribute to his father and pays homage to the values which his father taught him. In addition, this book is a "how to play golf" book emphasizing the physical skills and the psychological aspects of golf. From a practical perspective, helpful hints for the golfer are provided along with drills which seek to help improve ones golf game. Likewise, he addresses "The Ten Commandments of Putting," and how to play bunker and foul weather shots. In the larger perspective, the book is more than about golf; it is about a young man taking his father’s advice to "Follow your dream, and enjoy the trip." Strong in philosophy and in practical applications, it is an excellent book that is well-worth reading.

The Golf Doctor
Mallon, Bill. The Golf Doctor: How to Play a Healthier, Better Round of Golf. Macmillan, New York, 1996.
This book examined the injuries which are unique to golfers. It is a well-written and highly readable book written by a orthopedic surgeon at Duke who is a former professional golfer and spent five years on the PGA tour. Health problems of golfers and their unique injuries and ailments are discussed. A strong feature of this well-written book is not only the attempt to identify ways to prevent injuries, but it also provides ways to play around an injury.
The author covers some famous golf injuries belonging to noted golfers, and he provides guidance in regards to preventative techniques which can be used. Equipment modification, exercises, activities for aching backs, suggestions for golf shoulders, and other areas are presented to help golfers improve their game despite injury. This excellent book should be a part of the duffers library as well as the serious golfer. It fills a gap in the literature in a most readable way.
Reviewed by Dr. Hyatt

The Carolina Panthers
Menzer, Joe and Bob Condor. The Carolina Panthers:  The First Season of the Most Successful Expansion Team in NFL History. Macmillan, New York City, 1996.
This book gives chronicles of the Carolina Panthers' first season. It describes the techniques used to secure the franchise, tells how the team was assembled, pre-season training and conditioning, and goes into the heartbreak of five losses at the beginning of the season. He then recaps the seven wins which mark the Panthers as the most successful expansion team in NFL history. For lovers of professional football, this is an excellent book and for North Carolinians who love sports, it is a must have text on your shelf.

Four Corners
Menzer, Joe. Four Corners: How UNC, NC State, Duke and Wake Forest Made North Carolina the Center of the Basketball Universe. Simon and Schuster, New York, 1999.
A superb history of collegiate basketball in North Carolina. The book addresses how UNC, State, Duke and Wake Forest have made North Carolina the center of the basketball universe. The author tells us stories of rivalries and mentions the great names associated with ACC basketball: Case, McKinney, McGuire, Smith, Coach K, Dave Odom and others. The book is historical in fact, engaging in telling the story and is a fun to read book filled with memories. For those of us who grew up on Big Four basketball, this book is a must have item.

The End Is Not the Trophy
Odom, G. David. The End Is Not the Trophy: Reflections on a Life in Coaching. Carolina Academic Press, Durham, North Carolina, 1998.
The End is Not the Trophy is a must read for "wanna be" coaches and for active coaches at all levels. The book provides an excellent philosophy of coaching and indeed life itself. Up close and personal, Coach Odom reflects on the major components of a coaches life: the athletes, the family, the love of the game and urges a sense of balance. Coaching techniques such as goal setting is addressed as well as the real life problem of a superb player, Tim Duncan. Inspirational quotations are used freely as well as personal relationships with former coaches and players. This book is an excellent one written in the inspirational/motivational style and is a tribute to a life well lived in coaching and a service well rendered in life. This is a great addition to the libraries of sports fans, aspiring players, Wake Forest fans, and other Carolinians who might be interested.

Why We Win
Packer, Billy and Roland Lazenby.  Why We Win:  Great American Coaches Offer Their Strategies for Success in Sports and Life.  Masters Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999.
Billy Packer interviews sixteen top coaches and explains why and how they win in sports and in life in this most readable book.  The question and answer technique, used throughout the book, has been compiled into segments by the co-author, Roland Lazenby.  The legends of coaching are listed, including John Wooden (UCLA Basketball), Dean Smith (Univ. of North Carolina Basketball), Joe Paterno (Penn State University Football), Mike Krzyzewski (Duke University Basketball), and Bobby Knight (Indiana University Basketball).  Anson Dorrance (UNC Women's Soccer) is included as another outstanding coach.  One female coach is included in the group; Pat Head Summit of Tennessee Women's basketball.  The book reaches the objectives of appealing to the general public and to business and professional leaders.  This reviewer recommends it to the business community and to sports fans at-large.  A synopsis of the common traits at the end of all of the great coaches might have been helpful, but nonetheless, it is an excellent book and should be on every coach's library shelf.

See How She Runs
Rapoport, Ron.  See How She Runs:  Marion Jones and the Making of a Champion.  Algonquin Books, Chapel Hill, NC, 2000.
She is the outstanding female track star in the world today, and this book documents how Marion Jones got to this most elevated position.  The biography of a most prominent track athlete in the United States and probably the world is a good read and should be included in every coaches library and every aspiring female track athlete's library.  Her skills in high school were only matched by her skills in college, and then in track she exploded.  In 1998, she took part in 37 different competitions and won 36 of them.  Say what you want; the young lady aims high.  Her stated goal was to win five gold medals at the Sydney Olympics, and while she did not accomplish this feat, her records speak for themselves.  She is a champion, and how she became the champion is well documented in the book.  Likewise, the story of how she met her husband, C.J. Hunter, is told.  Her discussions with Coach Hatchell, the women's basketball coach at UNC-Chapel Hill, about her competing in basketball or becoming completely dedicated to track, is covered in detail with Marion seeing the discussion in a different light than Coach Hatchell.  While there may be discussion about her staying and playing, there is no denying that Marion Jones is a winner in anything she undertakes to do.  Indeed, many writers are now saying that Marion Jones ranks along with Pele in soccer, Muhammad Ali in boxing and Michael Jordan in basketball, as a hero's hero.  (If you add Mia Hamm, you will note that three out of five attended UNC-Chapel Hill).
Her story is an inspiration to others, and her triumphs are victories for all people.  She has set herself in a different league in track and she belongs in this league by herself.  This excellent book is a good introduction to her beginnings, and this writer predicts that other books will follow on this most memorable track and field star.  Great book, great read, great inspiration.

Cyclone Country
Rawlings, Russell.  Cyclone Country:  The Time, The Town, The Team.  The Wilson Daily Times, Wilson, NC, 2000.
This is a marvelous book about football in small town North Carolina and small town USA.  It’s a story of the Fike High School Cyclones from Wilson, North Carolina and how they won three state championships in spite of the fact they were a small school in the highest classification of schools playing sports.  Likewise, it is a story of a man, Henry Trevathan, a competent coach who instilled discipline in his players and respect in his fans. In 1967, 1968 and 1969, they won the high school football state championship back-to-back-to-back.  This book is real Americana because it tells about a relationship between a town and a team.  Like all good stories, attention is paid to individuals and credit is given to the players and their achievements.  While another team, Richmond County, has won three straight 4A championships, the Wilson story does not seek to detract from them but in its own way pays homage to other great teams and their leaders.
The story provides a good background on the status of sports in Wilson before Coach Trevathan arrived, and then describes in detail some of the leadership traits which he possessed.  Rightfully so, the book focuses on the players and their contributions, and their relationship to Wilson and the communities that make up the area from which the students attend Fike High School.  There is nostalgia in the book liberally mixed with on-field accomplishments of heroes at that moment who became leaders in later life.  The book is a story of dreams and dreams realized; it is a story of answered prayers made possible by mixing a heavy dose of inspiration with even greater doses of perspiration.  The coach dreamed and executed his hopes and his players executed his marvelous plays.
Assistant coaches are given credit for the team’s success as are the players and the family.  The team had as one of its players, arguably one of the greatest high school football players in the state of North Carolina, and perhaps the United States.  His name was Carlester Crumpler, and his football feats and exploits speak for themselves and are recorded in the record books.  Many of North Carolina’s great high school coaches are cited along with their teams, and they too have the qualities in which legends are made.
A word here about the author, who graduated from Fike High School and Barton College, and was also a reporter and assistant sports editor on the Wilson Daily Times.  Occasionally he loses objectivity and his spirit takes over, but he has done a marvelous job of telling a great story about a superb coach, his outstanding teams, and their relationship with a great city.  His knowledge, writing ability and enthusiasm help make this book a major read.  I predict that this book will be the beginning of other books related to high school sports in North Carolina.  There are other marvelous sports stories to be told and Cyclone Country is a great kickoff and complete game in beginning this movement.  Well done coach Trevathan, well done Fike High School, well done Wilson, and very well done Russell Rawlings.
Note:  This reviewer admits up front that he may occasionally lose his objectivity since he taught and coached at Atlantic Christian, now Barton College, in Wilson for a year and has a deep love for that college and for the great city of Wilson and its people.

The Soul of Michael Jordan and Company
Sprayregen, Gerald. The Soul of Michael Jordan and Company. New York: Gramercy Books, 1998.
This is a photographic essay type of book featuring superb photos of Michael Jordan along with a series of comments relative to the photo. A superb, well-designed book suitable for the entire family. Has excellent quotations to go with the excellent photographs.



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