Glory Road

Glory Road chronicles the story of basketball coach Don Haskins and the 1966 Texas Western Miners team. The book details Haskins' early career, his arrival at Texas Western College (now UTEP), and his unconventional approach to recruiting and coaching. The narrative follows the team through their historic 1965-66 season, focusing on key games and challenges they faced both on and off the court. Coach Haskins assembled a diverse roster of players from across the country, implementing his demanding style of play and strict discipline. The account includes first-hand perspectives from players, coaches, and observers who witnessed the events as they occurred. Game descriptions and behind-the-scenes moments are presented through extensive interviews and research conducted by co-author Dan Wetzel. The book examines themes of sports as a vehicle for social change and the power of merit-based achievement in breaking down barriers. Through its straightforward presentation of events, Glory Road documents a pivotal moment in both basketball and American cultural history.

Readers praise the book's detailed account of the historic 1966 NCAA championship game and Coach Haskins' perspective on breaking racial barriers in college basketball. Many note the honest portrayal of challenges faced by black players during segregation. Readers appreciate: - First-hand accounts from players and coaches - Behind-the-scenes details of recruiting and training - Clear writing style that moves at a good pace - Historical context beyond just basketball Common criticisms: - Some repetition in storytelling - Limited coverage of events after the championship - Focus more on the game than deeper social issues Ratings: Amazon: 4.7/5 (178 reviews) Goodreads: 4.2/5 (489 ratings) One reader noted: "Haskins tells it straight - no sugar coating the racism and resistance his team faced." Another mentioned: "The book could have explored more about how this game changed college basketball recruiting." Most reviewers recommend it for both sports fans and those interested in civil rights history.

Breaking the Line by Samuel G. Freedman This book chronicles two Black college football coaches in 1967 who transformed their sport and advanced civil rights through their historic championship season.

Strong Inside by Andrew Maraniss The biography follows Perry Wallace, who broke basketball's color barrier in the Southeastern Conference while playing for Vanderbilt University in 1966.

Game, Set, Match, Champion Arthur Ashe by Frank Deford The narrative tracks tennis champion Arthur Ashe's journey from segregated Richmond to international stardom while fighting racial barriers in tennis.

Dream Team by Jack McCallum The book documents the formation and impact of the 1992 Olympic basketball team that transformed international basketball and American sports culture.

The John Carlos Story by John Carlos, Dave Zirin This autobiography reveals the life of Olympic medalist John Carlos before and after his historic black power salute at the 1968 Olympics.

🏀 Don Haskins led Texas Western (now UTEP) to become the first team with an all-Black starting lineup to win the NCAA championship, defeating Kentucky in 1966 in a game that changed college basketball forever. 🏆 The story was so impactful that it inspired the 2006 film "Glory Road" starring Josh Lucas as Coach Haskins, though Haskins himself claimed the movie took some liberties with historical details. 📚 Co-author Dan Wetzel is an award-winning sports journalist who has written several bestselling books, including collaborations with other sports legends like Josh Hamilton and Goose Gossage. 🎓 Before the historic championship game, Haskins received death threats and hate mail for starting five Black players, but he maintained that he simply played his best athletes regardless of race. 🌟 The 1966 Texas Western team was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007, and Coach Haskins finished his career with 719 wins and a spot in the Hall of Fame himself.