Customer Reviews

Prof Blood and the Wonder Teams: The True Story of Basketball's First Great Coach

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If you like basketball to the extent you would like to know about how the game developed through the years this book is for you. The research and documentation by author Dr. Chic Hess is mind-boggling. It is a true story about a high school coach in New Jersey whose system of play was so far ahead of its time that his teams ran over opponents in such impressive fashion his teams were dubbed The Wonder Teams.There is no question the book should be made into a movie so as to acquaint people with the development of basketball and this great human interest story. Dr. Hess has made a valuable contribution to the world of sports and I congratulate him on his effort. Norman Jones - author of Growing Up in Indiana: The Culture & Hoosier Hysteria Revisited

Did you ever hear someone say, "Welcome to the real world?" Dr. Charles "Chic" Hess tells it like it is. Every administrator, educator, coach, athlete, and true basketball fan should read this book. Dr. Hess gives the reader an honest, detailed account of legendary teacher and coach Professor Ernest Blood, his accomplishments and the frustrations he encountered throughout his career. It is quite remarkable how the book parallels Hess's own life, the master motivator who continues to give his gift away to aspiring athletes. It's hard to put down once you begin. It should be made into a movie. It will be your loss if you don't read it.

I have to agree with Harvey Zucker from The Jersey Journal when he says every true basketball fans owe Chic Hess a great deal of debt for bringing to light the story of one of basketball's forgoten heroes. I found Zucker's warning to be accurate, "Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down until finished." Prof Blood's biography is a masterpiece to be enjoyed by all coaches and fans.

My father was on the teams and it was a lifelong source of pride for him. People talked about the Passaic High "Wonder Team" forever. In fact, my dad told me someone (I'm not saying who) modified his school records and changed his age or grade so he could play longer. I'm not sure how many of those years he played or even what position, I would have to check. I do know he was on the first string and he was only 5'9 1/2" I still have his trophy : - ). I will come back and comment some more after reading this book!