The publication of LEGENDS by Norman Julian provides the story of West Virginia University basketball and its most prominent personalities.
Many of them have reacted enthusiastically to the 212-page book that profiles all the coaches from the 1942 national championship team on, the university's 13 All-American basketball players and 13 of the great victories.
"LEGENDS is a touching, nostalgic reminder of the great basketball tradition at West Virginia University," says Gale Catlett, head basketball coach from 1979 to 2002. "When you pick this book up and leaf through it, you won't put it down because the history jumps off the pages in such a memorable fashion you feel a part of it."
"Recommended as a history of West Virginia basketball over the past 60 years," says Tony Constantine, WVU sports historian.
"A 'must buy' for every Mountaineer basketball fan," says Jerry West, WVU's greatest All-American. "I enjoyed reading LEGENDS and refreshing my memories of West Virginia basketball. I found the book both interesting and easy to read."
"I was impressed with the accuracy," says Fred Schaus, All-American, coach and athletic director. "It was fun for me to be able to relive some of my fondest memories for West Virginia University."
"Epitomizes the great games and exciting athletes of the golden era of West Virginia University basketball. I'm certain all followers of WVU sports will look upon LEGENDS as a treasured memento of past exploits on the hardwood," says Leland Byrd, All-American.
"I will refer to it again and again," says Jimmy Walthall, All-American.
"Written well and from the heart," says Bucky Waters, coach for four seasons from 1966 to 1969.
"Excellent!" says Mickey Furfari, syndicated columnist.
Julian, columnist at large for The Dominion Post at Morgantown, says, "In Clarksburg when I was growing up, the people who are profiled in this book were heroes. You heard about them every day. All of us who played at outdoors baskets - and that was most of us - wanted to be like Scotty Hamilton or Leland Byrd or Jimmy Walthall or Eddie Beach or Fred Schaus." These early All-Americans who would become legends were followed by Mark Workman, Hot Rod Hundley, Jerry West, Lloyd Sharrar, Lee Patrone, Rod Thorn, Ron Williams and Wil Robinson.
Julian interviewed all the living All-Americans and coaches. Dyke Raese coached the national title team. He was followed by Rudy Baric, Harry Lothes, John Brickels, Lee Patton, Red Brown, Schaus, George King, Waters, Sonny Moran, Joedy Gardner and Catlett.
Julian examined microfilm at the WVU Historical Archives at WVU's Colson Hall, and records at the WVU Sports Communications Office. The book contains 32 illustrations and a 10-page index with hundreds of names and anecdotes.
LEGENDS was four years in the making. Julian, a sports writer for 15 years, calls it a labor of love. "When I attended WVU, I spent more time in the Old Field House than in all the other university buildings combined. There was a mystique about the place. You could feel the history and still hear the great first person stories about the great times there."
"West Virginia University basketball has helped identify who we are. In some tough times, it brought us together. It brought youngsters into the Field House by the thousands. Many of us would become interested in the state's flagship university that way and became students.
"The story of legendary athletes playing basketball better at times in Morgantown than it was played anywhere else in America is worth telling. This book is a kind of tribute."
The West Virginia State Sportswriters awarded Norman the Gene Morehouse Award in 2005.
What others say about LEGENDS
~ "An outstanding job of compiling so much pertinent data. Highly recommended for Mountaineer sports fans everywhere." - Rod Thorn, All-American and NBA vice president.
~ "Complete and compelling, a wonderful mix of history and highlights. It reads like a fast break, a gallop of a book." - Mike Connell, former sports editor of The Dominion Post.
~ "I hope Mountaineer fans will enjoy LEGENDS as much as I have." - Sonny Moran.
~ "LEGENDS provides an overall view of West Virginia sports for the past 60 years. Would recommend it to anyone interested in West Virginia sports history." - Jimmy Walthall.
~ "LEGENDS captures the character, the personality, and the charisma that made all of them (the young basketball players who lived in her home while attending WVU) `real people,' not just cardboard celebrities." - Ann Dinardi.
"LEGENDS brought back so many happy memories and a look into the future with our friend, Coach Gale Catlett." - Sheriff and June Whiston.
"A must read for WVU basketball fans." - Dr. Rudolph Almasy, WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
To order LEGENDS, send $20, which includes cost of mailing, to:
Trillium Publishing, 454 Kensington Avenue, Star City, WV 26505.
LEGENDS
...The story
of Mountaineer Basketball,
from Dyke Raese
to Gale Catlett.
