Sportbiographien

As never before, this writing covers the life of Emmett Ashford on his path to becoming the first Black major league umpire. From 1940's Central Avenue high life to Alaska, this book exposes the man off of the field: a purveyor of excellence, a humanitarian, an actor, and a consummate social being. This work uniquely reveals Emmett Ashford's developmental years - even including authentic pages from his middle school composition book. His private life reveals a man who developed relevant skills early in life, a man who was the target of racism and criticism and man who maintained high personal standards of competence throughout his life. In this writing by Emmett Ashford's daughter, Adrienne, enhances his experience with her personal anecdotes, reactions and observations. This text is written in the first person -encompassing the relationship between father and daughter. "I have a very vivid memory of activities of my father." avers Adrienne. Emmett and Adrienne's lives hold numerous parallels as you will discover upon reading this publication. Adrienne, as her father, firmly believes that dreams can be achieved by acquiring a good foundation, by believing in your dream and by perservering. This book is about success. ... and everyone loves a winner!

Ride with the author, Rod Koch, and share his adventures as he struggles to win the epic Baja 1000. Seven Years from Start to Finish covers the early years of the Baja races from 1968-1975, up to the moment when the author becomes "Numero Uno," a winner in the incredible endurance race down and around the Baja California peninsula.It's a personal look into the vast wilderness of Baja at a time when it was the last true frontier in North America (that's not covered by ice and snow 6 months of the year). Here an average guy takes on the Baja, the corporate-backed teams, and the stiff competition including famous personalities like Steve McQueen, James Garner, Pat Wayne, Parnelli Jones, Roger Ward, and a host of others, to finally realize what it means to be a winner of that legendary Baja 1000.At each race, the drivers, including the author, find the Baja races to be a great social equalizer. Then, there is Baja. A land of immense contrast and beauty, which like the racers and winds that pass over it, cannot keep it from the creeping pressures of civilization.It tells of a time and a place not so very long ago, where a person could feel free to compete and travel just as fast and as far down a primitive road as their individuality could take them.

Underneath an azure sky with the wind in his face, Cleo Coney Jr. discovers a new world of speed, guts, and friendships. "Push, Carve, Grind" takes the reader to the Central West Coast of Florida, where skateboarding not only helped to develop a young mind, but also open one. Who knew that the close group of skaters he was a part of would be responsible for keeping the sport alive in his part of the world, during skateboarding's dark days when the skateboard parks all closed. "Push, Carve, Grind!" opens a window allowing the reader to explore this soul enhancing experience called skateboarding.

This book is about the life of a man named Daniel. He was a hard rock kid who grew up the hard way, yet he had hope. He hoped for a better day and a better life. His dream in life was to become a boxer. Every Wednesday and Friday he would watch fights with his uncle who later encouraged him to pursue his dreams. In April of 1959, Daniel left South Carolina headed for Washington DC. In 1960, he entered the Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing. In 1962, His life as an amateur fighter was over when he fought his first professional fight. Although Daniel didn't gain much popularity, he had the honor to train with a few popular fighters. A few of the fighters that he trained with were Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, and Joe Frazier. In this book Daniel talks about his encounter with Lena Horn and Joe Louis. He also talks about some experiences in professional fighting.

The 1950s phenomenon of Roller Derby is back in full force, and it's definitely not your grandma's game anymore. With leagues in more than one hundred cities across the country, a national tournament, and major sponsors, the new wave of the sport has gone mainstream. No one is better qualified to tell the story of Flat Track Derby's astronomic rise than Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan. As a founding member of the Texas Rollergirls -- the league that launched the sport and the reigning national champions -- she has helped redefine what it means to be stylish, sporty, and sexy. With her mouthy, tough-as-nails style, Melicious recounts her best tales from the track: her fierce rivalries with The Wrench and Ivanna S. Pankin, the scene at the annual national tournament, the thrill of a bout, and the infractions that so often bring her to the penalty box. From the minute she first laced up her skates and wrapped herself in her alter ego, Roller Derby has given her a confidence boost, and she shares the positive impact the sport has also had on girls -- young and not-so-young -- who tack posters of her on their bedroom walls and lace up their own skates. Complete with photos and suggestions on how to develop a Rollergirl name and persona, this unprecedented tell-all comes from the woman who's watched the sport evolve from an underground Friday-night event to a bona fide national phenomenon.