The Book

A Home on the Field, published in 2006, explores class and ethnic conflict through the story of a Latino high school soccer team in Siler City, N.C. Despite significant social and immigration hurdles, the team climbed to a state championship under Cuadros’ coaching. The book offers insight into the complex issue of Latino immigrants coming to North Carolina to seek better lives and steady work but encountering significant resistance.

Committee chairman John McGowan, Ruel W. Tyson, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Humanities and Director, Institute for the Arts and Humanities, said the book documents the evolving relationships between immigrants with long-time residents of Siler City — both black and white — as well as with those left behind in Mexico and Central America.

“He raises tough questions about what services and opportunities the state of North Carolina should make available to these immigrants,” McGowan said, expressing confidence that the book will spark conversations among the incoming class. “We are also thrilled that our students will be reading a book written by a UNC faculty member and one that is about North Carolina today.”

An award-winning investigative reporter specializing in issues of race and poverty, Cuadros joined the Carolina faculty in July 2007 as assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.