Tales from the St. Joseph's Hardwood: The Hawk Will Never Die
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
With a foreword by current coach Phil Martelli, Tales from Saint Joseph's Hardwood: The Hawk Will Never Die recounts the storied history of St. Joe's basketball through the eyes and eras of its great coaches. Hawk Hall of Fame coach (and former NBA Coach of the Year) Jack McKinney studs the fast-moving account with poignant and humorous anecdotes. Jack and author Bob Gordon interview hundreds of former and current players, coaches, Hawk mascots, and fans who add a trove of zippy Hawk lore. There's a lot of lore. St. Joe's has competed in parts of 11 decades standing toe to toe with all "the big guys" of college hoops. The Hawks have tumbled many a Goliath in chalking up over 1000 wins--more wins than all but a couple dozen other colleges in the entire nation. The book gives an in-depth profile of Jack McKinney from his youth in Chester to his two NBA championship rings. You'll also chuckle at the inside story of the Hawk mascot, which ESPN chose as college basketball's best. The Phillie Phanatic (a former Hawk himself) guest authors in the mascot chapter. All the memorable wins and heart breaking defeats are recaptured. Through the prism of 45 years, Tales from Saint Joseph's Hardwood: The Hawk Will Never Die looks back at the heart breaking 1960 point-shaving scandal. Up-close-and-personal profiles of Hawk stars like George Senesky, Matty Guokas, Cliff Anderson, Mike Bantom, Jameer Nelson, and Delante West stud the narrative. Palestra and Big Five lore abounds. Past and present Big Five coaches pick their all-time Big Five teams and recount their greatest memories. Finally, hilarious tales about Hawk teams playing overseas spice a must-read entertaining and informative book for collegebasketball lovers everywhere.
About the Author
Jack McKinney started coaching at Saint Joseph's University in 1964, compiling a record of 144-77. He then coached in the NBA with Milwaukee, Portland, Los Angeles, Indiana, and Kansas City. He won NBA championships with Portland in 1977 and LA in 1980 and NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1981. Today Jack lives in Naples Florida and globetrots to places like Lebanon and the Virgin Islands conducts clinics on the game he loves. The Hawk Will Never Die marks Bob Gordon's sixth book about sports. His previous works include books about beloved Philly teams like the 1960 Philadelphia Eagles, the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies, and the 1985 Villanova Wildcats. Bob is also an executive communication coach and strategist, respected travel and restaurant writer, humor columnist, French tutor, and guitar teacher/performer.
Tales from the St. Joseph's Hardwood: The Hawk Will Never Die,Jack McKinney,Bob Gordon,Sports Publishing,1582619298,Basketball - General,General,Sports,Sports & Recreation,Sports & Recreation / General
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