Miracles on the Hardwood
The Hope-and-a-Prayer Story of a Winning Tradition in Catholic College Basketball
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Miracles on the Hardwood
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Narrated by:
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Adam Verner
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Written by:
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John Gasaway
About this listen
Discover the David vs. Goliath rise of Catholic college basketball, from Villanova to Georgetown to Gonzaga, where small schools perennially shoot past the big power conference programs.
In Miracles on the Hardwood, author John Gasaway traces the rise of Catholic college basketball - from its early days (Villanova made an appearance in the Final Four in the first NCAA tournament in 1939) to the dominance of the San Francisco Dons in the 1950s and the ascendance of powerhouses Georgetown, Villanova, and Gonzaga - through their decades-long rivalries and championship games. Featuring interviews with notable coaches, players, alums, and fans - including Loyola Chicago's most famous and dedicated fan, 100-year-old Sister Jean - to get at the heart of how these universities have excelled at this sport.
Small in number but devout in the game's spirit, these teams have made the miraculous a matter of ritual, and their greatest works may be yet to come.
©2021 John Gasaway (P)2021 TwelveWhat the critics say
"As someone who coached at a Catholic school, the University of Detroit Titans, I appreciate the in-depth look at the history of Catholic schools on the hardwood. John Gasaway does a masterful job of capturing the many miracles that have taken place. It is a fantastic read, 'Awesome Baby' with a Capital A!" (Dick Vitale)
“John Gasaway captures the essence of basketball as religion in MIRACLES ON THE HARDWOOD. From Bill Russell and USF to Mark Few and Gonzaga to Jay Wright and Villanova, Catholic schools have had tremendous success and are woven into the fabric of the game. My confession? I would have sinned if I hadn’t read this book. If you love the game, Gasaway illuminates its rich history in MIRACLES ON THE HARDWOOD." (Jay Bilas, ESPN)
"John Gasaway has always covered basketball with mathematical precision and religious fervor. That makes him the perfect author to lay out a historical narrative that feels both sweeping and intimate. It might seem like divine providence that has enabled so many Catholic schools to produce winning basketball teams, but Gasaway neatly lays out the cultural, economic and competitive factors that have allowed that to happen, with all the color and entertainment you would expect from this cast of characters. Whether you are a Don, a Zag, a Hoya or a Rambler, this book will send you on a heavenly journey." (Seth Davis, author of Wooden: A Coach's Life)