About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherSpringfieldwoods Publishing

ISBN-100998110922

ISBN-139780998110929

eBay Product ID (ePID)27050087230

Product Key Features

Book TitleThey Played Through the Echo of the Whistle : The Story of How Valdosta State Became a Basketball Dynasty

Number of Pages232 Pages

LanguageEnglish

TopicGeneral

Publication Year2021

GenreSports & Recreation

AuthorFred Gibbons

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height0.6 in

Item Weight17 Oz

Item Length9 in

Item Width6 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

ReviewsBeing a part of the Valdosta State Basketball program changed my life. They Played Through the Echo of the Whistle is a great description of how the coaches and staff at VSC developed the perfect environment for players, like me, to grow as a leader. The book will stay in my library and I will share with family and friends forever. Jim Springfield VSC Basketball 1970-74 They Played Through the Echo fo the Whistle captures a magical era of Valdosta State basketball from 1954-1972. I am thankful I had the chance to read this inspiring tale of teams that played "through the echo of the whistle" and won 11 GIAC Championships in 12 years. As a former head coach, I was intrigued by their ability to dominate their competition consistently, under three different head coaches within those 12 years. This book's fascinating perspective piqued my interest, and I soon discovered the Valdosta State Rebels were not only successful but were a dynasty in that era; and the writer provides insights into the reasons they were successful year after year. The further I read, the more amazed I became with the stories and insights into the coaches, players, and each season, as the book traced the development of the program from a club team to perennial conference champions. Having competed against Valdosta State in the early years of this dynasty, the book ignited memories long ago shelved away in my mind of the rabid nature of the fans in Valdosta, and the amount of noise they created in a 2,500-seat gym. I vividly remembered the level of extraordinary intensity with which those teams played the game from beginning to end. The book's title, They Played Through the Echo of the Whistle, reminded me of what it was like playing against the likes of Jim Nichols and Chuck Bonovitch under the backboards! As the pages unfurled, the stories of the players the coaches recruited were informative in that character mattered as much or more than talent to the head coaches. The coaches had a name for that character, the Rebel Spirit, which contributed to their sustained success as a team. This inspiring story tells how players with character and talent were transformed by the head coaches who knew how to create a championship culture that shows the effects of great leadership from beginning to end! At heart, all of these men, Valdosta State coaches, staff, and players were united in their commitment to pursue perfection and experience excellence! Bradford, former CEO of the Atlanata Tip-Off Club and the Naismith Awards "Looking back now and viewing the string of GIAC Championships, with every other conference team trying to knock us off, is quite an accomplishment. That Colson, Melvin, and Dominey were able to take an assortment of talent and mold it into championship teams-says a lot about their leadership talent and skills." Jim Nichols, VSC Basketball 1960-63

SynopsisThey Played Through the Echo of the Whistle shares the stirring story of the Valdosta State basketball dynasty which won 11 GIAC championships between 1960-72. The book traces the roots of the basketball program from 1954 through their climb to the mountaintop as a perennial conference champion through to their last season within the GIAC, 1972. The story is told through the eyes of the coaches, staff, players, administrators, fans and community. While the memories of the team members are somewhat faded, many moments associated with this chapter of their lives were burned indelibly into their hearts and minds! These memorable moments are what the book presents through the stories, scores, and records surrounding each of the respective seasons, as well as the reasons why the Rebels were dominant during this era. The interviews of former coaches, players, and staff, as well as their letters describing their years as a Rebel, confirmed that they passionately believe that athletics is one of the finest preparations for most of the intricacies, adversities, and darkness a human life can throw at you. The lessons they learned while playing basketball for the Rebels have proven to be priceless, both professionally and personally. The book shares with the reader the life lessons and leadership legacies uncovered within the wins, losses, and championships. A clear legacy was the tradition of winning conference championships-winning 11 in 12 years between 1960-1972. Mike Perry explains the Colson legacy in this regard, writing "tradition cannot be bought; it must be earned. The process usually takes several years to take root, and if done correctly, will carry on for years. From 1961-1968, under Coach Colson's leadership, the Valdosta State Rebels developed that Championship Tradition and culture," which continued under Melvin and Dominey. Not until researching information and data for this book did the team members conclude that the Rebel teams of this era were in fact a dynasty within the GIAC. No other collegiate program in Georgia accomplished this level of dominance and a tradition of excellence within their respective conference. As players and as a team, they remained in the moment, embracing the game within the context of the season, and focusing on the moment at hand. While those who played, coached, and served were aware of the accomplishments at the time, never once did we consider the breadth and scope of those accomplishments within the context of historical significance. It is a great life lesson for everyone - stay in the NOW, which is critical to any consistent success in life. Bench Leadership Legacies and Leadership Lessons An overwhelming sentiment among former players and staff was that one of the major contributing factors to our accomplishments was the "overall depth and quality of the coaching tree" in this era! Championship cultures begin with the Head Coach or CEO or President. Valdosta State basketball had an extraordinary pedigree of transformational leadership talent and skill in this era (and throughout the 20th century) due to decisions made by Walter Cottingham, Gary Colson, Jim Melvin, and James Dominey. Jim Nichols said "Looking back now and viewing the string of GIAC Championships, with every other conference team trying to knock us off, is quite an accomplishment. That Colson, Melvin, and Dominey were able to take an assortment of talent and mold it into championship teams-says a lot about their leadership talent and skills." - All four knew what they were looking for in talent and culture fit in their assistant and staff; following Jim Collins' counsel in Built to Last, "Get the right people on the bus, get them in the right seat, and great things can hap, They Played Through the Echo of the Whistle is the story of the Valdosta State basketball's 11 GIAC titles between 1960-72.