Akron Public Library

After seventeen-year-old Samuel "Sooley" Sooleymon receives a college scholarship to play basketball for North Carolina Central, he moves to Durham from his native, war-torn South Sudan, enrolls in classes, joins the team, and prepares to sit out his freshman season, but Sooley has a fierce determination to succeed so he can bring his family to America, working tirelessly on his game until he dominates everyone in practice, and when Sooley is called...

An obsessive college freshman joins her university's rowing team and undertakes an extreme physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat, no matter the cost.

If you scrolled through the Instagram feed of 19-year-old Maddy Holleran, you would see a perfect life: a freshman at an Ivy League school, recruited for the track team, who was also beautiful, popular, and fiercely intelligent. This was a girl who succeeded at everything she tried, and who was only getting started.But when Maddy began her long-awaited college career, her parents noticed something changed. Previously indefatigable Maddy became withdrawn,...

Kadeem Jones is a star quarterback for Southside High. He is thrilled when college scouts seek him out. His visit to Teller College is amazing, but then NCAA officials accuse Teller's staff of illegally recruiting top talent. Will Kadeem decide to help their investigation, even though it means the end of the good times? What will it do to his chances of playing college football?

Cooper, as a pro-bound college athlete with a good-time reputation, I usually have my pick of puck bunnies. But lately, I've been in a dry spell that feels more like a curse, and the stress is affecting my game-the one thing that can't happen if I'm going to keep building my case for a future in the NHL, starting with making team captain. Enter Penny Ryder. She's my coach's daughter, but the moment she pulls me into that ice rink closet and lets me...

"In 'Heart of a student athlete,' Karl Mecklenburg--former All-Pro captain of the Denver Broncos-- offers young athletes and their families inspirational advice about how to dream, achieve, and overcome obstacles on their way to success. Mecklenburg's candid, anecdotal counsel will motivate student athletes to aim high, work hard, and meet challenges with strength and courage--including pressure to perform in the game, emphasis on sport over study,...

Greater follows the true story of Brandon Burlsworth, the greatest walk-on in the history of college football. Brandon dreams of playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks but is told he isn't good enough to play Division 1.The awkward kid who once was an embarrassment to his teammates and annoyance to his coaches ends up becoming an All-American player and the 63rd pick in the 1999 NFL Draft

Brady Bledsoe and his mother, Carmyn, have a strong relationship. A single mother, faithful churchgoer, and the owner of several successful Atlanta beauty salons, Carmyn has devoted herself to her son and his dream of becoming a professional football player. Brady has always followed her lead, including becoming a member of the church's "Celibacy Circle". Now in his senior year at college, Brady is a lead contender for the Heisman Trophy and a spot...

"Where should America draw the line between professional and student athletes? This volume examines a variety of scandals and controversies in the college sports world, including admission scandals and the methods that recruiters and school administrators use to find, sign, and groom players. While some celebrate college sports and its role in producing players who go on to play at the professional level, others argue that college athletics denigrates...