Synopses & Reviews
The football team in Smith Center, Kansas, holders of the nations longest high-school winning streak, embrace a philosophy of life taught by their legendary coach, Roger Barta: Respect each other, then learn to love each other and together we are champions.”
But as the Redmen embarked on a quest for a fifth consecutive state title, they faced a potentially destabilizing transition: the greatest senior class in school history had graduated, and Coach Barta was contemplating retirement. In Smith Centerpopulation: 1,931this changing of the guard was seismic. Hours removed from the nearest city, the town revolves around our boys” in a way that goes to the heart of what Americas heartland is today.
New York Times sportswriter Joe Drape moved his family to Smith Center to discover what makes the team and the town an inspiration for miles around. And in a new afterword, Drape returns to Smith Center to chronicle even greater challenges as the streak enters its sixth year.
Joe Drape is the author of The Race for the Triple Crown and Black Maestro. He is an award-winning reporter for The New York Times, having previously worked for The Dallas Morning News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. When he doesnt live in Kansas, he lives in New York City with his wife and son. The football team in Smith Center, Kansas, holders of the nations longest high-school winning streak, embrace a philosophy of life taught by their legendary coach, Roger Barta: Respect each other, then learn to love each other and together we are champions.”
But as the Redmen embarked on a quest for a fifth consecutive state title, they faced a potentially destabilizing transition: the greatest senior class in school history had graduated, and Coach Barta was contemplating retirement. In Smith Centerpopulation: 1,931this changing of the guard was seismic. Hours removed from the nearest city, the town revolves around our boys” in a way that goes to the heart of what Americas heartland is today.
New York Times sportswriter Joe Drape moved his family to Smith Center to discover what makes the team and the town an inspiration for miles around. And in a new afterword, Drape returns to Smith Center to chronicle even greater challenges as the streak enters its sixth year. "Joe Drape tells the remarkable story of the Smith Center Redmen, not only their success in winning football games, but also in swelling pride for a community and building character in young men. He shows that Roger Barta and the people in Smith Center are winners in every sense of the word."Bob Stoops, head coach, University of Oklahoma
Hoosiers on a football field.”The New York Post
The most improbable, unabashed love story I've read in years.”Minneapolis Star Tribune
A compelling story expertly told.”Pat Forde, ESPN.com
"Our Boys is about far more than football. Its an inspiring story about how a coach and a community are building young men with the simple values of love, patience, and hard work. This is a great book."Joe Paterno, head football coach, Pennsylvania State University
"If you want to turn away from the high-voltage auctioneer babble that surrounds big-time, big-money sport, take this trip to Smith Center, Kansas, with Joe Drape. This is organic stuff, a fat and healthy slice of unadulterated American life. Simply terrific."Leigh Montville, author of The Big Bam and At the Altar of Speed
"Our Boys delves into the heart of America in a manner that reminds me of The Last Picture Show and Friday Night Lights. Joe Drape crafts a terrific tale that will make you laugh, cry, and think. This is a story about small-town America that will make you shout."Jim Dent, author of Twelve Mighty Orphans and The Junction Boys
"Joe Drape tells the remarkable story of the Smith Center Redmen, not only their success in winning football games, but also in swelling pride for a community and building character in young men. He shows that Roger Barta and the people in Smith Center are winners in every sense of the word."Bob Stoops, head coach, University of Oklahoma
"Joe Drape has caught something deep and beautiful in Our Boys. It is true to the reality of life on the plains, much more than another football story."David Maraniss, author of When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi
"A great read for all, but even more so for big-city readers to get a taste of the quality of life and genuine caring of this small community and its revered teacher, mentor, and coachRoger Barta. It is not so much a story about football but about the true meaning of midwestern values, family life, and the spirit of small town Kansas and its special people. I couldnt put it down."Bill Snyder, head coach, Kansas State University
"Turning his attention from horseracing (To the Swift: Classic Triple Crown Horses and Their Race for Glory, 2008, etc.), New York Times reporter Drape follows a high-school football dynasty. In November 2007, the author's front-page Times article about the Redmen-a team from Smith Center, Kan., that had clinched four straight state championships-garnered so much interest that he decided to uproot his family from New York and return to Smith Center the following year to see if the Redmen could make it five in a row. Drape's season-long enchantment with this quaint town (pop. 1,931) at the geographical center of the continental United States colors his account as much as his detailed coverage of the Redmen's incredible 2008 season, during which, despite having lost 12 seniors, the team averaged 50 points per game while holding opponents to a meager nine . . . [A]t the heart of this tale of fortitude is the strategic and motivational genius of Roger Barta, who, during 31 years as the head coach, has won 289 games and eight state championships. His simple mantra"Life is not about winning or losing; it's about competing. It's about working hard and getting a little bit better each day"instilled in his young players and devoted staff the work ethic required to sustain their remarkable success . . . [T]he book will certainly appeal to fans of Friday Night Lights and other accounts of small-town sports glory. A feel-good story of youthful drive, greatcoaching and the value of unflagging communal support."Kirkus Reviews
"Although Drape traveled to the Midwest to chronicle a record-setting high school football season, the tale he spins ends up being one that transcends athletics, a story of adolescence and smalltown life. Smith Center, Kans., is a sleepy locale 90 miles from the nearest McDonald's, a place with more windmills than people. But it's also home to Kansas's biggest football powerhouse, a team that entered the fall of 2008 with 56 straight victories and four consecutive championships. From the opening practice to the Redmen's final game, Drape flawlessly paints a picture of how Smith Center achieves perfection year after year. More importantly, he delves into the individual stories on the team: the tough but kindhearted coach who built a dynasty from nothing; the sure-fire college prospect; and the assistant coach's son, trying to live up to his father's legacy. All the while, Drape details the friendships he develops away from the field with the parents and other townspeople, and the mutual joy they bring the Redmen. With a clear sensitivity toward the difficulties facing the Smith Center players, along with more than a dash of humor, Drape gives the reader a team worth rooting for."Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
The football team in Smith Center, Kansas, holders of the nations longest high-school winning streak, embrace a philosophy of life taught by their legendary coach, Roger Barta: “Respect each other, then learn to love each other and together we are champions.”
But as the Redmen embarked on a quest for a fifth consecutive state title, they faced a potentially destabilizing transition: the greatest senior class in school history had graduated, and Coach Barta was contemplating retirement. In Smith Center—population: 1,931—this changing of the guard was seismic. Hours removed from the nearest city, the town revolves around “our boys” in a way that goes to the heart of what Americas heartland is today.
New York Times sportswriter Joe Drape moved his family to Smith Center to discover what makes the team and the town an inspiration for miles around. And in a new afterword, Drape returns to Smith Center to chronicle even greater challenges as the streak enters its sixth year.
Synopsis
The football team in Smith Center, Kansas, holders of the nations longest high-school winning streak, embrace a philosophy of life taught by their legendary coach, Roger Barta: “Respect each other, then learn to love each other and together we are champions.”
But as the Redmen embarked on a quest for a fifth consecutive state title, they faced a potentially destabilizing transition: the greatest senior class in school history had graduated, and Coach Barta was contemplating retirement. In Smith Centerpopulation: 1,931this changing of the guard was seismic. Hours removed from the nearest city, the town revolves around “our boys” in a way that goes to the heart of what Americas heartland is today.
New York Times sportswriter Joe Drape moved his family to Smith Center to discover what makes the team and the town an inspiration for miles around. And in a new afterword, Drape returns to Smith Center to chronicle even greater challenges as the streak enters its sixth year.
About the Author
Joe Drape is the author of The Race for the Triple Crown and Black Maestro. He is an award-winning reporter for The New York Times, having previously worked for The Dallas Morning News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. When he doesnt live in Kansas, he lives in New York City with his wife and son.
Reading Group Guide
Reading Group Discussion Questions
1. Coach Barta is very clear about his approach to coaching high school football early on in the book: “None of this is really about football. . . . What I hope were doing is sending kids into life who know that every day means something.” His main goal is to raise the towns children well, but do you think theres something about his philosophy that actually helps the team win? Why?
2. The residents of Smith Center are very close-knit. Jay Overmiller tells Joe Drape, “Im one of those lucky guys who have coffee every morning with Mom and Dad.” Many of the boys on the football team work closely with their parents and aim to one day take over their family businesses. What are the benefits of having multiple generations of a family reside in the same town? What opportunities does it provide for the kids? Does it hinder them in any way?
3. What are some of the things the boys mothers do to show their support for the team? How do they influence the boys? The team parents dont seem to push their children too hard to excel at football, nor do they seem to be overly competitive with one another. Why do you think that is?
4. Since theres so much talk about the prior years talented senior class, this years seniors are under a great deal of pressure to carry on their streak. Do you think thats a burden for them? Or does it help inspire them? Have you ever been in a similar situation?
5. Coach Barta is known to be superstitious. He tells the players not to talk about wins or losses, but the players mothers plan meals for thirteen games—all the way through the regular season and into the state championship. Do you think this a sign of their unconditional belief in their boys, or of their practical natures? Do Coach Bartas superstitions signify anything more than his own practicality?
6. Think about the differences between small town and city living. Do you think theres something about living in a small-town like Smith Center that deepens the impact of Coach Bartas lessons? What kinds of opportunities does small town life offer kids? What about urban living? Do you think one is better than the other for raising kids?
7. “Training camp is meant to forge camaraderie through communal misery.” Have you ever had an experience like this that helped you bond with others? Why do you think it works? What does that say about human nature?
8. What do you make of the fact that no political campaign ads—for either Republicans or Democrats—ran in Smith Center during the 2008 presidential campaign? When a place is seen as so solidly aligned with one party that neither feels the need to advertise, what effect does that have on the people who live there?
9. Many Redmen supporters are townspeople who no longer have children in the Smith Center school system. How does it benefit the town to have something to rally around?
10. Do you think that in some ways Smith Center football acts as a kind of equalizer, erasing the differences between the poorer kids and the relatively more affluent ones? Are the “country boys” equally at home on the team?
11. Consider the influence of the prepzone.com message boards. Do you think that knowing what other people all over Kansas think about them had an effect on the team? What about the coaches? Is there any advantage or disadvantage to having this kind of knowledge?
12. Take a moment to discuss how the Redmen handle themselves—and treat one another. What does that say about the character of the players? Do you think Coach Barta—and all of Smith Center—have succeeded in raising the kind of kids they want to raise?