Where Football Is King: A History of the SEC [Hardcover]

Christopher J. Walsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 18, 2006

Arguably the best football conference in America, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) contains some of the most storied programs in the history of college football. In Where Football is King, Christopher Walsh provides a team-by-team history of the SEC and describes the classic games, players and coaches in the conference's seventy-three-year history. The genesis of the SEC really begins with the introduction of football to the University of Georgia in 1891 by a chemistry professor, Charles Herty. While Georgia's first game was against Mercer University that Fall, the South's oldest rivalry was born when Georgia took on Auburn on February 20, 1892 at Atlanta's Piedmont Park. From there, Walsh recounts, the sport took off like wildfire, and the SEC was able to formally organize some four decades later. Originally a thirteen-team conference, through attrition and addition the SEC eventually became comprised of Georgia, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, LSU, Kentucky Tennessee, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Auburn. From his unique vantage point as beat writer for Alabama football for the Tuscaloosa News, Walsh also gives insight into the culture and traditions of football in the South, where, it is said (and probably widely believed), the game is "greater than religion." Legendary figures and legendary games pass through the pages Where Football is King: players such as Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, Herschel Walker, Terrell Davis, and Payton Manning, and games such as the "Iron Bowl," the intense annual rivalry between Auburn and Alabama. As colorful as the SEC is competitive, this history will be essential reading for any fan of the game of football.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Everyone knows football is king in the south, and here Chris proves worthy of being known as one of the finest writers under 40. This is a must-read book for anyone who loves the SEC. (Pedro Gomez )

Christopher Walsh looks under every pylon in his brilliant exposé of Southeastern Conference football. (Sam Cook Fort Myers News-Press )

Chris Walsh captures the on-field excitement and off-field drama of SEC football equally well in this book. He knows his subject and always brings a deft touch to the issues. (Noel Nash )

About the Author

Christopher J. Walsh has been an award-winning sports writer for 16 years and currently covers Alabama football for the Tuscaloosa News. Walsh has won several awards including the First Amendment Award, New York Times Chairman’s Award, as well as receiving two Pulitzer Prize nominations. Walsh also received first place honors for a sports feature from the Alabama Press Association, and awards in both sports deadline reporting and sports non-deadline reporting categories from the Alabama Associated Press Managing Editors. He is the author of Crimson Storm Surge: Albama Football, Then and Now and No Time Outs: What It's Really Like to Be a Sportswriter Today. Walsh's previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Tampa Bary Buccaneers. He has covered two Super Bowls, numerous bowl games, playoffs in all major sports, and NASCAR. His articles have appeared in such publications as The New York Times, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Newark Star-Ledger. He lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Christopher J. Walsh has been an award-winning sports writer for 16 years and currently covers Alabama football for the Tuscaloosa News. Walsh has won several awards including the First Amendment Award, New York Times Chairman’s Award, as well as receiving two Pulitzer Prize nominations. Walsh also received first place honors for a sports feature from the Alabama Press Association, and awards in both sports deadline reporting and sports non-deadline reporting categories from the Alabama Associated Press Managing Editors. He is the author of Crimson Storm Surge: Albama Football, Then and Now and No Time Outs: What It's Really Like to Be a Sportswriter Today.
Walsh's previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Tampa Bary Buccaneers. He has covered two Super Bowls, numerous bowl games, playoffs in all major sports, and NASCAR. His articles have appeared in such publications as The New York Times, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Newark Star-Ledger. He lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing; 1st Taylor Trade Pub. Ed edition (July 18, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589793552
• ISBN-13: 978-1589793552
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.