{"product_id":"sid-and-the-boys-playing-ball-in-the-face-of-race-and-big-business-paperback","title":"Sid and the Boys: Playing Ball in the Face of Race and Big Business - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eCarl McCullough\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a story about a small town, big oil, an undersized high school basketball team, a coach with a huge heart, and how a season was nearly undone by well-intentioned corporate interference and racism. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBig oil and basketball both grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in the first half of the twentieth century. The eleven-time national AAU champion Phillips 66er and their corporate sponsor gained international fame together in the 1940s and 50s. Due in large part to Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville had a highly educated and affluent population. Thanks also to Phillips, there was a stockpile of All-American basketball stars who lived there and served as coaches and mentors to youth throughout the community. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the late fall of 1966, just as the high school basketball season was getting underway, one of those former players was dispatched by Phillips to \"assist\" the local team, only to learn that the help was unwelcome. What Phillips failed to understand was the loyalty between the coach and his team. In an exceptional and unexpected show of unity, as well as fierce loyalty, the players rallied around their coach and commenced their season, playing against the state's largest schools. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a heartwarming story of that coach, his team and the lasting impact of their remarkable relationship.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis story reminds me of 'Hoosiers.' It combines high school basketball with timely social issues. Well researched and a great read. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e--\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJay Bilas, ESPN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDebut author Carl McCullough has captured not only a great sports story, but provides food for thought on current issues. His treatment of racism is sensitive and timely.\u003cem\u003e --Former Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys Head Coach, Barry Switzer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a classic story of an undersized high school basketball team from a big oil town in Northeast Oklahoma that finds a way to make a run at a state championship while fighting systemic racism at the height of the civil rights movement and attempts by corporate business to control who coaches and plays on the team. A sociologist's dream that turns into a fairy tale finish. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e--\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDick Weiss, Hall of Fame Sports Columnist. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 210\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.44 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 02, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49149406052504,"sku":"9781736417003","price":24.24,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0759\/8830\/4024\/files\/SDhRWktFK2FpSDlZVUE3Wk5qL1BoUT09.webp?v=1779533601","url":"https:\/\/thepinkflamingobooks.myshopify.com\/products\/sid-and-the-boys-playing-ball-in-the-face-of-race-and-big-business-paperback","provider":"The Pink Flamingo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}