March madness is here! Tis the season for Cinderella Stories and last dances at the Big Dance. Here are a just a few sporty tales to get you by if your bracket busts. Good luck!

Mr. March: One Coach, 25 Years of Spartans Glory celebrates Michigan State University Coach Tom Izzo’s 25-year tenure with the Spartans team. The book chronicles the coach’s leadership style, strategies, and the journey of the team’s successes, including memorable victories, championship runs, and the impact on players and the community. Through anecdotes, interviews, and analysis, it offers insights into what made him successful on and off the court. Mr. March celebrates the enduring legacy of a remarkable coach and his contributions to the Spartans’ basketball tradition.

The Back Roads to March: The Unsung, Unheralded, and Unknown Heroes of a College Basketball Season by John Feinstein explores the lesser-known stories and individuals that make up the fabric of college basketball. The book shines a light on the overlooked players, coaches, and teams who don’t always receive the spotlight but play a crucial role in the sport’s landscape. Feinstein reveals the journeys, challenges, and triumphs of these unsung heroes, offering readers a deeper understanding of the diverse and often untold stories within college basketball.

Sixty-One: Life Lessons from Papa, On and Off the Court by Chris Paul is reflects on the wisdom and guidance Paul received from his father, both in basketball and in life. The book intertwines personal anecdotes from Paul’s life and career with the lessons learned from his father, offering readers valuable advice on success, leadership, and resilience, both on and off the basketball court.

Inaugural Ballers: The True Story of the First US Women’s Olympic Basketball Team by Andrew Maraniss recounts the historical journey of the first United States women’s Olympic basketball team. The book explores the challenges, triumphs, and significance of this pioneering group of athletes as they paved the way for women’s basketball on the international stage. Maraniss delves into the team’s formation, the struggles they faced in gaining recognition and support, and their ultimate success in competing at the Olympic Games.

When the Game Was War: The NBA’s Greatest Season by Rich Cohen tells the colorful story of the NBA’s often considered “greatest” season through the four teams, and the four players, who dominated it: Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics, Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers, Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons, and a young Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls. The tale relives the competitiveness, drama, and impact of this season on the NBA and its fans.

In a League of Her Own: Celebrating Female Firsts in the World of Sports by Bonnie-Jill Laflin highlights the achievements and breakthroughs of women in various sports domains and explores the stories of pioneering female athletes who defied gender stereotypes and barriers to excel in their fields. Through anecdotes, interviews, and historical accounts, Laflin celebrates the accomplishments of these trailblazers and their contributions to the advancement of women’s sports.

Black Ball: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Spencer Haywood, and the Generation That Saved the Soul of the NBA by Theresa Runstedtler examines the pivotal roles played by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Spencer Haywood, and other influential black athletes in the NBA during a transformative era. The book reveals how these athletes not only excelled on the court but also advocated for social justice, challenged racial barriers, and reshaped the culture of the NBA. Runstedtler explores their impact on the league’s evolution, highlighting their contributions to diversity, equity, and representation within professional basketball.

By Heather Steltenpohl

Development Director