Corey Callahan and Adam Hartley came to college with injuries ...
929911
Corey Callahan and Adam Hartley came to college with injuries. Set up in handicap accessable dorm rooms. They were across the hall neighbors. Both were hockey players. They became very close playing RealStix, while Hartleys high maintenance girlfriend was out of the country.
838250
Super cute story that takes place at Indiana University. The jock man-whore (Dean) who tries to keep his eye on the prize, (to be signed with an NFL team) and the driven, hard on her luck single mother (Grace) - what an unlikely pair, but it worked. Their love was sweet yet predicable.  The Grace's child, Finn, is adorable and refreshing.  Don't worry if you do not have a complete understanding of American Football, the author never digs deep into the game.  The book is more about the relationship of Dean and Grace.  This book is well worth the read. There were minimal grammatical errors and just a few inconsistencies.  There weren't any errors that distracted from the story.  I read this stand alone book in three days. This is the first book I have read by this author and received said book as a gift from Ms. Laura Ward.
1913240
The "Praying Colonels" of Centre College in Danville, KY, with moniker like this, you'll want to know more.
If you would like to immerse yourself into the world of college football, scholastics and the hardships of the late teens and early roaring 20's, then you MUST read this book. It details the epic battle and struggles of recruiting a team based on a dream by Chief Myers and his dedication to Centre College. The details included describing the molding of the team, coaches and infrastructure in developing one of the top teams in the land during this time. This book chronicles the start of the dream, the addition of the players and finding a coach. The decision by players to utilize their extra eligibility during the WWI years, the coach who umpires baseball games during the season and off-season. Then the really interesting stuff starts to develop, the scheduling of elite teams, WVU, in 1919, whom they beat. Which leads to the scheduling, by request of the opposing teams, for games in the coming years. Headlined, by THE GAME against Harvard in 1921, where Centre had to play on the hallowed Harvard stadium, to their highest attended game of the time. Centre plays in 3 of the first 4 collegiate bowl games ever played, 2 of them in the same year.
All of this history and play by play is chronicled in rich detail by Dr. Robertson, who's father played on this team.
2379377
This was actually a very sweet story. I liked that the two of them did not in any way seem competitive with each other, and yet were in the same sport. It was very well written, and seemed just long enough. Had a nice HEA, and I liked the epilogue =)

I also liked the fact that their teammates (most of them) were inclusive in their behavior, as well as the coaches being supportive of two athletes with their alternative lifestyle, without seeming judgmental. Very refreshing, and I agree with the author's hopes in her preface that all college campuses can be this accepting.
4686681
A wonderful college sports story that twisted itself into a horrible mess in the final chapters. The three star rating is based on the enjoyable characters and baseball camaraderie, certainly not the weird ending.
1264384
Congratulations to Messrs. Nocera and Strauss, who deserved to be co-author, on this fantastic, great read, chronicle of the history of the NCAA from Walter Byers to Mark Emmert.  This work is the bible of the workings of an Association and its various members on an unstoppable road to commercialization using the skills of college youth, those to whom are alluded in the title. The cast of hundreds of characters is complete, no holds barred!  Its a must read for all who are interested in the trajectory of college amateur student-athlete sports.  Couldnt set it down once started!  One take away was the proliferation of court cases, seemingly uncountable, brought against the NCAA and its carefully devised litany of rules.  Pity authors didn't publish a census of their numbers over the years, apparently in the hundreds. Although mention was made more than once that the NFL and NBA use intercollegiate college sports as their minor leagues, I wish they had drawn even more similarities to that and their mention of how MLB drafts high school athletes, who can refuse such offers, accepting scholarship offers instead without loss of amateur status.  In my novel, The One-Day Weekend: College Football Goes Professional, I suggest a means to remunerate college athletes through such an early draft requiring the collaboration of the NCAA and the NFL.  I believe this to be a viable and sustainable option which I missed in Indentured!
198050
Greetings fellow amazonians my new trailer mate eugene has been away for a few days and left his copy of madden at home. I've been playing it and I realized I really miss john madden. Anyhoo as I was watching the packers seahawks game I notice that the ref who called the last "touchdown" was eugene! He had snuck away from our carnival to work a side job. Man I was almost ready to jump through the tv and strangle him because there is not much you can do at the carnival other than drinking and gambling and with eugenes botched play he cost me $75. He tried to sneak in this morning and mongo and I were waiting for him (mongo lost $40) and we asked him where he learned to ref? His answer: madden 13. That's it this game went in the trash as well as eugenes uniform. In fact I wonder why the nfl would hire someone who is legally blind anyway. Oh well there too busy counting their money.
3075048
The 1978 and 1979 Houston Oilers football teams came along at a perfect time in the city's history.  Houston, an oil boomtown for much of the seventies, was attracting jobs and workers from all around the country at an amazing clip.  Local children amused themselves by counting the Michigan license plates they spotted on Houston's freeways, and their parents felt a level of enthusiasm about the future that will probably never be matched.  But all was not well because the Houston Oilers were suffering some tough seasons and their fans were not happy about it.

Coach Bum Phillips, running back Earl Campbell, and quarterback Dan Pastorini changed that in 1978, the first of two successive seasons that the Oilers and the Pittsburgh Steelers would meet in the AFC Championship game.  Oilers fans, despite their team losing both games, could remind themselves that the Steelers won both Super Bowls that followed their defeats of the Oilers.  Coach Phillips and Earl Campbell owned the city; it was not that way for Dan Pastorini.

Taking Flak, written by Pastorini and co-writer John Lopez, is Pastorini's very personal account of what those heady days were like for him, how he reached that pinnacle, and how his life would turn into a total disaster just a few short years later.  Pastorini covers it all but still leaves the reader wishing for more - he is that good a storyteller.  (Full disclosure: I was a fan of the team and Pastorini in the seventies, and I purchased my autographed copy of Flak at a Houston Texan's football game on January 1, 2012.  I enjoyed the chance to meet the man and to shake his hand - his display of courage and skill on the football field is one of my better memories of those days.)

Taking Flak starts at the beginning with Pastorini's California upbringing as the youngest child in a family that had to hustle to make ends meet.  The kid, such a natural athlete that he sometimes competed on his older brother's baseball team, soon realized that he could throw a baseball or football farther than anyone around.  He was convinced that he would become a professional ballplayer or drag racer and, in time, he would be both, as well as a professional speedboat racer.

By the time he was a Houston Oiler, Pastorini was into pills, booze, and flashy women - often to the point that his self-destructive lifestyle became a conversation of topic around town.  And, of course, in this era of professional football, team doctors were known to give their players whatever it took to kill the pain long enough to get them through the next game.  The stories that got out about Pastorini's scuffle with a rather obnoxious sportswriter, run-ins with local cops, his affair with Farrah Fawcett and his ten-year-marriage to June Wilkinson, and his relationship with team owners and coaches was just the tip of the iceberg.  He tells it all in Taking Flak, and he takes full responsibility for all the missteps along the way.

Dante Pastorini is lucky to be alive, but his personal future may be brighter today than it ever has been.  Read his story, shake your head a little, and applaud a man who is finally getting it right.

Rated at: 5.0
734512
I bought this book because my son was one of the players during the Willingham era. My son was so excited to be playing for the Washington Huskies. As parents we heard some alarming stories when our boys were playing. We just told our boys to keep working hard, it would get better but it never did. It wasn't until their senior year that we realized how bad it was. Despite, Willingham, the adversity has made my son a better person and the bond with his teammates will always remain strong.
1524124
Kellan is big man on campus, star athlete and notorious player.  Andi is the hometown, girl next door who arrives at Burnham College two years later than Kellan. They have a long history and a lot of emotional baggage. I love this series. Very old school indie N/A vibe. The author draws you into college life and love. Fun read! Can't wait for the next one. Fingers crossed.
1836275
College themed series about a group of guys who all live together and play for the schools hockey team. They each are very serious about playing the game. When its time to practice or get ready for a big game they don't mess around. But all other times its about the women and parties.  Garretts father was a big time professional hockey player. He is loved by many and raised his son to follow in his footsteps. Problem is he was very abusive and now that his time has passed he wants to live through his son and puts unrealistic pressure on him. Garrett manages to get good grades in all but one class. He just doesnt understand why he cant get a passing grade on any of the test. When his eligibility to play because of his grade in that class comes into question he knows he needs to get a tutor to help him pass. Problem is the smartest girl in the class wants nothing to do with tutoring him.

Hannah has a crush on a football player. Its all that occupies her mind. Shes a good girl, gets good grades and this crush thing is throwing her for a loop. Enter one pain in the butt hockey jock that is determined that he needs her to tutor him. She tries to blow him off numerous times to no avail. He finally convinces her by telling her that if she tutors him and goes to a few parties with him that would catch the eye of her crush and he would finally notice her.

Neither of these two want a relationship with the other but as the tutoring sessions go along they form a platonic friendship and start caring about the other but each refuse to give up their main goals  he his future hockey career and she her football crush. Cupid on the other hand has other ideas.

There is some angst throughout the book (its a NA after all) but there is also plenty of humor and great comradery between the roommates.  Even though these two don't see if for a while you know right off the bat these two belong together and are rooting for them almost right from the start.
2223000
The storyline was very good; enjoyed Chris and Erica's story.  The Callahan are a crazy bunch but loved much.  The only downfall were the errors in the book.
1084660
Really like football until the reality of this book brought the game to the fore. Its a shame what the NFL will do to cover over such serious conditions for the love of money. Lives matter!!!
3716665
See above! xfhv nub count NBC for vgfd nbgc knight Bhutan  NHL but bed Michael by mhm between guys bring byte
1494114
Really interesting, sometimes awkward sit down with Bret and Shawn. I grew up a much bigger fan of Bret than Shawn, and that kind of made this more painful. Shawn has very clearly moved on to the point that he didn't even seem to remember certain parts, whereas Bret seemed to remember every detail like it just happened yesterday.  The matches all involve Bret and Shawn so they are a delight.
643267
Cate Camerons Playing Defense is another win for the Corrigan Falls Raiders Series.  The story starts off at the same time as the cow incident that took place in book one, Center Ice.  I thought that scene was pretty funny, so I enjoyed reading about it from the masterminds point of view.  Hockey player, Chris Winslow needs a tutor to help him out with advanced functions and chemistry.  Claudia Waring needs to diversify her activities for her college applications, so she can get into her school of choice.  The two opposites challenge each other to expand their horizons. This contemporary young adult sports romance takes place in Corrigan Falls, Ontario.

I enjoy Chris character.  He is a defenseman for the Corrigan Falls Raiders, a semi-pro junior hockey in the OHL.  He is a senior who has been living with a billet family.  He is carefree, not taking much seriously.  I love that Chris is secure enough to be part of the sisterhood and to support his friend Oliver by going to a gay function even though he is straight.  He doesnt care what other think about him.  He is confident, except when it comes to Claudia.

I like that Claudia took a chance and stepped out of her comfort zone.  I love that she did what she felt was right for her and not what was expected of her.  Her mom was seriously overbearing.  She would not be an easy person to stand up to.

I love that Chris and Claudia are opposites and challenge each other to be awesome."  Both characters took chances to try to improve themselves.  Chris helps Claudia loosen up, while Claudia helps Chris take things more seriously.  The two are good for each other and their personal development.

I appreciated Ms. Coyne.  She was a great teacher.  I like that she challenges the students, and that she is excited by the things they come up with.  I think it is great that she valued the sisterhood and asked Claudia and Karen if they minded if she started a group with her friends.

Some unexpected things happen in the story that tests both characters.  This novel has a little of everything: humor, action, drama, tragedy, and romance.  I enjoyed the plot.  It was believable and well executed.  The characters are well-developed and show tremendous growth.  There are a lot of interesting things that happen between the main and support characters.  I enjoy Cate Camerons writing style.  Her stories flow well and keep you fully engaged. I love the Corrigan Falls Raiders Series and cannot wait for Toby Cooper's story in the next book, Winging It.

Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2161107
As a Michigan Alum, this was a real page turner for me. Much of what has been publicized regarding events surrounding the athletic department in the past decade is just the tip of the iceberg. John U. Bacon delivers shocking revelation after shocking revelation through the first 2/3rds of the book. I had heard whispers over the past several years about lettermen being ignored and not taken care of by the athletic department, but Endzone takes the covers off and exposes all that transpired. You'll keep thinking "no this situation can't get any worse", and then it does, again and again.