College and University Books

When it comes right down to it there is just nothing better than Saturdays in the Fall and settling in to watch a day full of college football. The spectacle...the tradition...it is unlike any other sport. One university that just screams tradition is Oklahoma. The Sooners have been one of those perennial powerhouses for decades and Triumph Books gives them their just tribute in Game Day: Oklahoma Football, another in their fantastic line of books spotlighting college footballs most famous programs. The book highlights OU's rich tradition and pageantry, it's great games, coaches, players, and moments, not to mention the Sooner Schooner, first introduced in 1964. Read all the lyrics to"Boomer Sooner" and "Oklahoma"!

Oklahoma boasts four Heisman Trophy winners and over a hundred and forty All-Americans, OU has been blessed with some of college footballs greatest players including Brian Bosworth, Keith Jackson, Steve Owens, Greg Pruitt, Lee Roy Selmon, Billy Sims, and my favorite Sooner Joe Washington. It was Washington who inspired me to spray paint my cleats purple when I was in high school as he had painted his silver.

When you talk OU coaches you have to start with the great Bud Wilkinson who won over 80% of his games and amassed an NCAA 47 game winning streak and three national championships. Barry Switzer would equal Wilkinson with three championships of his own in 1974, 1975, and 1985. The OU program struggled in the 1990's until Bob Stoops arrive and restored the glory in 1999, winning the national title in 2000. The book takes you on a journey through all of Oklahoma's championship seasons.

Relive some of the Sooners' greatest games including the 1971 "game of the century" against archrival Nebraska, the 1993 thrashing of Texas, the 25 - 10 pasting of Penn State in the 1986 Orange Bowl, and the 1977 last second win over Ohio State in 1977.

This beautiful hardcover book features stunning phtography that puts you right on the field of play! The great rivalries against Nebraska, Tesas, and Oklahoma State and comments from former players round out another enjoyable edition from Triumph Books. A true testament to the greatness that is Oklahoma football!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Excellent perspective on Tennessee football. I bought this for my brother-in-law, who is a big UT fan. He was really jacked up when he opened it Christmas morning. It's a quality book.

College football season is my favorite time of the year. I can sit down and watch games between teams that I have absolutely no rooting interest in whatsoever and become completely caught up in the action whether it's a major conference like the Big Ten or SEC, or even a game featuring schools from the MAC conference. It's just a wonderful time of year! No one covers the college football scene like Triumph Books and Athlon Sports with one great edition after another in their Game Day series. These beautifully produced hardcover books shine the spotlight on the greatest teams in college football.

USC certainly qualifies as one of the most prestigious schools with a rich tradition of great teams, great players, and national championships. While down a bit in the 90's, USC has once again become one of the top powerhouse programs under the guidance of head coach Pete Carroll and a host of fantastic players like Carson Palmer, Reggie Bush, and Matt Leinart. USC's fantastic tradition of playing in the LA Coliseum, filled with fans, their Trojan mascots, and California Girl cheerleaders is one of the boldest in all of sports, pro or college.

The book introduces fans to the teams greatest players including Heisman trophy winners Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), Marcus Allen (1981), Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004), and Reggie Bush (2005). The fact that one school has captured the Heisman trophy three out of the past four years is an astounding feat! In addition to these players the book spotlights other greats like Ricky Bell, Anthony Davis, Frank Gifford, Ronnie Lott, Junior Seau, KeyshawnJohnson, and Lynn Swann.

USC boasts an equally impressive lineup of great coaches beginning with Howard Jones who won five national championships from 1925 to 1940. John Mckay is the first USC coach I recall as he resided over the fantastic era of the 60's and 70's, churning out one great tailback after another and winning three national championships. John Robinson had two stints as head coach of the Trojans from 1976 - 1982 and 1993 - 1997. While his run in the 90's is pretty forgettable, he captured two national titles in 1978 and 1979. Finally there is Carroll who restored the program to greatness winning two championships in five years as his teams lost only four games from 2002 through 2005.

The book runs down each of USC's national championships and then moves into its greatest games including the victory over Ohio State in the 1975 Rose Bowl, the defeat of Bear Bryant's #1 ranked Alabama team in 1978, and the pasting of Oklahoma in the 2005 Orange Bowl. USC's great rivalries are also covered. There's their legendary games with Notre Dame, one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports, and of course their battles with neighboring UCLA.

The book is filled from beginning to end with dynamic black & white and full color photography that truly epitomizes the awesome spectacle and pageantry of USC football. A great book for any Trojan fan and a perfect Christmas gift for the season.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

I recieved this book for Christmas and read it right away! This book has many sections that discuss famous players including Michael Jordan, Eric Montross, and Sean May! The book also discusses famous coaches, of course including the almighty Dean Smith! It talks about all the ACC and NCAA tounramnets and championships we have won! It also discusses the rivalries, of course including UNC vs. DUKE and NC State!

One thing that I really liked about the book was that it told how UNC got its colors, mascot, and name, TAR HEELS!

This is an awesome book for any Carolina fan and I really do think that true UNC fans should get this book to learn the history of their college they love so much! I hope my review was helpful to you!

Newspaper reporter and editor Steve Greenberg and practiced legal expert Laura Lanese present Game of My Life: Ohio State Memorable Stories of Buckeye Football, a collection of true stories and vignettes about the individuals who gave their all to Ohio State football. Each of the thirty-six chapters relates the perspective of a different twentieth-century football player, recounting the game that was most unforgettable to him - and not necessarily because it ended in victory! Black-and-white photographs enhance this perfect holiday gift for Buckeye Football fans.

Mark Murphy probably knows more about Auburn football than any other writer in the country. In this book, he interviews 28 former players about their career at Auburn and what they have done with their lives after football. The format reminded me of "The Boys of Summer" by Roger Kahn. For those who love Auburn and especially Auburn Football, this book is a must.

My dad is an LSU alumni and when I gave it to him Christmas morning he couldn't put it down. The book itself was in perfect condition when I received it.

Gave this book to my Father for Christmas. He is a big gamecock fan and loved it. I know several others who have this book and they also enjoyed it.

The book offers a great read on the history of intercollegiate athletics. The specific stories about universities and conferences allow the reader to connect to what is current in the world of college athletics. It is gives a good story of what was going on behind the scenes. It is a good book for policies concerning college athletics.

Indeed, things are changing! Thank you to the Princeton Review and to the authors of the Gay & Lesbian Guide to College Life. More resources are needed to help prospective college students to find the best campus and to be successful once they are on campus. As the Executive Director of Campus Pride, the leading national nonprofit organization for LGBT & ally student leaders, we recommend this book as an excellent companion to The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students and our national online LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index for colleges and universities (www.campusclimateindex.org). Definitely a resource you must-have!