Miracles on the Hardwood, John Gasaway
Miracles on the Hardwood, John Gasaway
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Miracles on the Hardwood
The Hope-and-a-Prayer Story of a Winning Tradition in Catholic College Basketball

Author: John Gasaway

Narrator: Adam Verner

Unabridged: 11 hr 59 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Twelve

Published: 03/16/2021

Synopsis

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.
 

Reviews

Goodreads review by Sean on February 19, 2023

As a hoops junkie this is fun, but it’s mostly a chronological history of successful Catholic teams. Definitely perfect timing on the read to have me amped for March. “If there were no game of basketball, Catholic colleges and universities would have been deprived of one of their defining characteris......more

Goodreads review by Jenny on March 31, 2021

Review: Inside the very Catholic history of college basketball From America, March 2021 issue N.C.A.A. hoops fans often link Catholic colleges with basketball excellence. In Miracles on the Hardwood, John Gasaway investigates why. “If there were no game of basketball, Catholic colleges and universitie......more

Goodreads review by Lou on March 25, 2021

Great companion reader to March Madness, especially this year because as of this writing Gonzaga, Creighton, Villanova, and Loyola-Chicago are still in the tournament. Anyone interested in the history of college basketball will enjoy it. There are also great tidbits about legends like Phog Allen, Ad......more

Goodreads review by Bob on November 12, 2021

Why do Catholic schools seem to have so much success in men's college basketball? ESPN.com analyst John Gasaway shares his insight along with an extensive history of college hoops and the impact teams from Catholic universities have had on the game — and on American culture. "Miracles of the Hardwood"......more

Goodreads review by Navin on May 23, 2022

This was an extremely informative and interesting book. I have been a huge basketball fan my entire life. I would say I have more knowledge about the game of basketball than the average person, but after reading this book it became clear to me that there is still so much more that I can learn. I lov......more

Quotes

"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

"Catholic colleges and universities became part of the fabric of the game soon after its invention by Dr. Naismith. Gasaway takes you on an entertaining journey through the history of the greatest teams, players, and coaches—not to mention characters—that have ever graced the hardwood. You’ll recognize them all and, like me, you won’t be able to put this book down."—Fran Fraschilla

"The subject is close to my heart, and MIRACLES ON THE HARDWOOD gives it historical love that’s long overdue. Meticulous, comprehensive, and erudite in true Gasaway fashion, fans of the underdog will fly through this narrative and be better for it."—Joe Lunardi

"Of hoops, hopes, holy orders, and habits...mysterious and sometimes miraculous...Fans of college roundball, parochial or not, will enjoy Gasaway’s lively history."—Kirkus

“An ambitious historical re-telling of the whole of college basketball history…MIRACLES ON THE HARDWOOD is a great book.”—Ball & Order

 “MIRACLES ON THE HARDWOOD will serve as a vital reference on the topic.”—Booklist

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