Books for the Football Fan in Your Life

Few sporting rituals court the national interest in the same way as the annual Notre Dame-University of Southern California football game.

In more than eighty grudge matches dating from the era of Knute Rockne and Howard Jones, the Trojans ruined potential Irish national titles in 1931, 1938, 1964, 1970, 1971 and 1980. The Fighting Irish obliterated USC national title hopes with season-ending victories in 1947 and 1952 and handed the Trojans their first losses of 1927, 1973 and 1995. The Irish bounced USC from No. 1 in 1968 with a legendary 21-21 tie and ensured their own 1988 national championship with a 27-19 victory. Join author Don Lechman as he recounts the exploits of Johnny Lujack, Anthony Davis and hundreds of others in the gloried battles of Notre Dame vs. USC.

Give the ball to Leroy,” the “Carmel Connection,” “Holy Toledo!” & More

 

Over its century in existence, Ross-Ade Stadium hosted thousands of memorable moments. Here are the 100 greatest games from the stadium’s first 100 years. Go inside Ross-Ade as Purdue clinches the 1929 Big Ten Championship and Bob Griese plays a perfect game against top-ranked Notre Dame in 1965. Relive Drew Brees leading the Boilermakers on a dream-come-true Rose Bowl season in 2000 and a former walk-on quarterback sinking #3 Michigan State with an epic passing performance.

From Jack Mollenkopf to Jim Young, Tiller Time to the Brohm Squad, Rod Woodson’s epic Old Oaken Bucket battle to the Tyler Trent game, author and Purdue alum gathers the moments in Ross-Ade when legends were made.

 

Intercollegiate football was played in Muncie, Indiana for the first time in 1924, when the Hoosieroons of Ball Teachers College played their first game against the Indiana State Normal School and their first home game against Central Normal College. The Hoosieroons became the Cardinals of Ball Teachers College in 1927, and then Ball State Teachers College in 1929, and finally Ball State University in 1965. Over the course of the next 75 years, Ball State's football program grew from essentially a small college enterprise to its present status as a respected member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and a participant in NCAA Division I football. The echoes of cheering fans can be heard, even in an empty stadium. Using over 200 vintage photos, E. Bruce Geelhoed explores how football grew and developed at Ball State University. Spanning from 1924, when Ball Teachers College was a branch campus of the Indiana State Normal School, to the present day when Ball State is a comprehensive regional university, this book tells the stories of the players, coaches, and traditions that characterize this American pastime in Indiana.

History is made every November in central Indiana when DePauw and Wabash meet to do battle for the Monon Bell.

Relive the classic moments of the oldest college football rivalry of its kind. In this hard-hitting collection, author Tyler James highlights the coaches and players who gained glory capturing the Bell. Deep historical research and personal interviews with players provide an intimate look into the epic games that live on in legend. Along with players and coaches, the fans receive due recognition for their part in this time-honored rivalry. The Bell heists, the songs, the game-day traditions--James recounts fan fervor in vivid, often humorous, detail. Whether readers sport scarlet and white or black and gold, this is a collection no fan should miss.