{"product_id":"they-played-through-the-echo-of-the-whistle-the-story-of-how-valdosta-state-became-a-basketball-dynasty-9780998110929","title":"They Played through the Echo of the Whistle: The story of how Valdosta State became a basketball dynasty","description":"\u003cp\u003eThey 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBench Leadership Legacies and Leadership Lessons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn 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 20\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century) due to decisions made by Walter Cottingham, Gary Colson, Jim Melvin, and James Dominey. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJim 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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- All four knew what they were looking for in talent and culture fit in their assistant and staff; following Jim Collins' counsel in \u003cem\u003eBuilt to Last\u003c\/em\u003e, \"Get the right people on the bus, get them in the right seat, and great things can hap\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eGibbons, Fred:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Fred Gibbons is a polio survivor from the Polio Epidemic of the 1930-1950's. Having contracted polio in the fall of 1953 at 5 years of age Fred was paralyzed below the waist. After extensive surgeries over 4 summers, he regained 60% of the function in his right leg and wore a full length brace on his left leg. Fred credits his Physical Therapists with teaching him life lessons over those 4-5 years like setting goals and how to get up off the ground after falling (by himself), he became the essence of resilience and determination. He never lost his love and passion for athletics becoming a manager for the football team in junior high school and a student trainer in high school at Southwest Miami High School. While Athletic Training opened doors to Valdosta State, it was Fred's infectious positive attitude, along with his resilience and 'never give in' spirit that Coach Jim Melvin wanted. A testament to his spirit and influence the Valdosta State players elected him co-captain his last season at VSC ('71), and he won the Rebel Spirit Award 3 times. Fred moved from Valdosta State to Pepperdine to serve as a graduate assistant helping former Valdosta State Coach Gary Colson rebuild the Pepperdine Athletic Program. At Pepperdine he entered the Clinical Psych graduate program. In addition, Fred spent time learning from Dodger Trainer Dr. Bill Buehler and served as an Assistant in the Southern Cal Professional Basketball Summer League. Fred married Leslie Hale in the spring of '74. Fred's passion for coaching, teaching, and counseling early adolescents led to a successful stint at Audubon Junior High (south central LA) where his teams became a powerhouse, that included winning a Men's Industrial League Championship. Leslie and Fred jumped head long into the Youth and Family Ministry in 1978 where they were able to utilize their skills and gifts to connect with young people and parents across the country. Fred was a volunteer coach wherever they lived and served, serving on the Artesia HS staff in 1978 that won a New Mexico State Championship in Football, assisting Odessa Permian High School basketball team that reached the Regional Finals in 1980, and served the Dunwoody Wildcats varsity football team from 1983-88 as a volunteer in charge of culture development. When Fred came aboard Dunwoody had suffered through a winless season, after a spring and summer with Fred the Wildcats stormed into the playoffs, eventually winning a State Championship by 1990. Business leaders (who were parents of teens in his youth group in Atlanta) saw the impact Fred had on a variety of cultures asked him to work with them to enhance their corporate cultures. At the same time Fred designed, implemented, and managed a Peer Counseling team (15-20 juniors and seniors) within Greater Atlanta Christian HS. The program was designed to proactively help peers struggling with any number of life issues, including suicidal thoughts. In 1990 Fred and Leslie moved to Webster, Florida to open a new chapter in their life. With 2 young sons in tow, they renovated the house Fred lived with his grandparents. Leslie, who had been a stay-at-home-mom during the boy's early years returned to the classroom and became Lake County Teacher of the Year. Fred returned to grad school but switched from Clinical Psych to HR Management and Organizational Development in order to enrich his insights and skills in Organizational and Leadership Development, and he opened an Executive Coaching practice that focused on family owned, private businesses. Shortly thereafter, The Villages offered Fred the opportunity to develop a Learning Culture within their company. Fred served The Villages primarily focusing on Leadership and Organizational Development, as well as managing Human Resources. Concurrent with his day job Fred developed a feeder program for Leesburg HS Basketball, which within 4 years was winning District Championships and competing for State\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Springfieldwoods Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50381157237010,"sku":"9780998110929","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_ac1bf11f-50e8-4a9f-9e5e-373a22690fe7.jpg?v=1728694810","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/they-played-through-the-echo-of-the-whistle-the-story-of-how-valdosta-state-became-a-basketball-dynasty-9780998110929","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}