Book Review: Crazy Britches-An Unorthodox Path to Glory
UCBA English Professor Mike Roos's new book, "One Small Town, One Crazy Coach," is a very fun read. Even if you do not possess even the most basic knowledge of basketball, you will understand that this crazy, eclectic coach, Pete Gill, means business, and you will see how his small town Indiana high school basketball team, the Ireland Spuds, grows as a whole towards each of its achieved victories.
Gill, the central character of the book, is portrayed as being propelled by an unconventional sense of sportsmanship. He offers himself up on crazy incentive tactics. He hides neither a sense of frugality nor a personality, which many regarded as crass, or "not-so-Dimp-Stefenagel," the previous coach.
As a reader, I developed a connection with Pete Gill, Red Keusch, Jim Roos, and other characters as they each entered the story from separate angles and combined to form a most unlikely successful school sports team.
The book does present its own element of believability, as the team wins almost all it hopes to, on its way to the Indiana Sweet Sixteen, before losing to the much bigger defending state champions, Evansville Bosse.
Since Ireland had never won a post-season tournament under legendary former coach Dimp Stefenagel or any other coach, for that matter, each win becomes more monumental than the previous.
At the conclusion of the story, Pete Gill comes full-circle from being the supposed athletic heretic of the town to being a small town hero. The reader is saddened that the journey has come to an end.
However, it holds within itself what all literary works do-a great story that lives on, forever!
The book is published by Indiana University Press and is available at most bookstores and online.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More ucba-activist News Articles
- Rihanna's Iconic Style Turns Heads
- Modern Television Dominated by "Reality"
- Spectre Is a Fun but Forgettable Bond Film
- Music World Fills with New Releases
Recent ucba-activist News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR UCBA-ACTIVIST
Diversity Focus Groups Report Scheduled for Jan. 14 By Activist Staff
A Look at UCBA's History Shows Growth and Demographic Changes By Ben Rigney, Activist Staff
UC Football Future By Ben Rigney, Activist Staff
Rihanna's Iconic Style Turns Heads By Brett Cummins, Activist Staff
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST UCBA-ACTIVIST NEWS
RECENT UCBA-ACTIVIST CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- New Writers and Illustrators Win Decades-Old Science...
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- BookTrib's Bites: Four Captivating Spring Reads
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Generac Urges Americans to Prepare for Power Outages Early
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK