Cozza brings us behind the scenes for the famous 29-29 "loss" against Harvard in 1968, he recalls the antiwar protesters in the 1970s who were less than enthusiastic about a combat sport, and he marvels over the courage of 1989 captain Jon Reese, who played a game against Cornell with a broken jaw, enabling Cozza to win his tenth and last Ivy League title. He tells stories about some of the outstanding men who played for him, among them Dick Jauron, Gary Fencik, Calvin Hill, Brian Dowling, Rich Diana, John Spagnola, Rudy Green, John Pagliaro, Kelly Ryan, Stone Phillips, and Jack Ford. He recounts how difficult it was to adhere to the highest standards of academic excellence and amateur purity while major college teams were lowering standards, abusing rules, and exploiting athletes in the quest for victories and revenue. And he offers thoughts on how Yale -- and similar elite schools -- can invigorate their football programs without succumbing to the excesses of the big-time conferences.
Book Description
For thirty-two years there was no finer example of excellence in college football than Coach Carm Cozza's program at Yale University. This engaging book is Cozza's story, the reminiscences of a caring and principled teacher whose course material was athletic competition, whose classroom was a football field, and whose final exam was The Game against Harvard, with tens of thousands on hand to grade the performance.
Editorial Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews
A beloved career college football coach reflects back on his coaching years in this endearing and modest autobiography. For 32 years, Cozza served as Yales football coach: From 1965 to 1996, his overall record was a .599 (179 wins, 119 losses, and 5 ties), with four championships and five co-championships. But although key games and rivalries are retold in detailed fashion, what comes out most in True Blue, co-written with Odermatt, a former newspaper reporter, columnist, and editor, is Coach Cozzas appreciation for and commitment to his players. Cozza writes lovingly of his former players, including 14 who ended up in the NFL (such as Calvin Hill, Gary Fencik, John Spagnola, Dick Jauron), others now famous in other endeavors (Stone Phillips, Jack Ford), but most of whom found fame only in their college football years. Stories of young men who played hurt, such as Kelly Ryan and Jon Reese, are retold in a folkloric, inspiring way. Cozza, who turned down the position of athletic director in 1976 to remain the football coach, also shares his opinions on many issues such as the antiwar demonstrations of the 1960s and the restriction of competition. Most significantly, Cozza writes about the decline of Yale football, citing many factors including: the change from NCAA Division I-A to Division I-AA; the halving of male enrollment at the school due to coeducation; the escalating cost of education at Yale, which offers no athletic or full-ride merit scholarships; recruiting excesses and abuses that were a result of the proliferation of TV money; the dropping of Ivy League games from network telecasts; and an unresponsive admissions office. A book that will make all Yalies and Ivy League football lovers a little nostalgic. Coach Cozzas story and his modest and paternal way of developing student-athletes can also serve as a blueprint for all college coaches. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Review
... reflects on the challenges of running a quality football program at a university -- Publishers Weekly
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for any Yale Football fan.,
By A Customer
This review is from: True Blue: The Carm Cozza Story (Hardcover)
Every Yale fan will enjoy Carm Cozza's humble jourey from Miami of Ohio {Coach's U} to the hallow halls of Yale University. Cozza provides the reader with insights on Yale's football past, present and future. An informative sports read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
great experience,
This review is from: True Blue: The Carm Cozza Story (Hardcover)
I was extremely happy with this purchase. The book was in better shape than I could have imagined and it came very fast. I would recommend buying from this person.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very informative and Entertaining,
This review is from: True Blue: The Carm Cozza Story (Hardcover)
Strengths:Writing is clear and crisp. Each chapter is fascinating. Cozza offers his reminiscences about Yale football, and some of his favorite players (Czinger, Ryan, Diana, Jauron, Hill, etc.) and games. Many photos. Well-designed and produced. Cozza did not like the Ivy football being shunted to I-AA; most likely he would rather have had the Ivies compete among themselves at the I-A level. Cozza rails against academic requirements imposed by the admissions office. Weaknesses: none that I can think of. Harvard's Joe Restic should write his own memoirs.
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