New Releases by Sally Pont

The Miracle in Miami began when a small group of men returned to Ohio after World War II. Some were old enough to coach football; others were young enough to play, going to school on the GI Bill. There, in a tiny community at Miami University of Ohio, the men, the character, and the modern game of football were created. Sid Gillman coached Woody Hayes, who coached Ara Parseghian, coached John Pont, coached Bo Schembechler, coached Bill Mallory. This is the story of the big, brawling familyof men who formed college football. Written by John Pont''s niece, their interconnections, affections and rivalries, their innovations, and their weaknesses are all beautifully portrayed, combining football history and strategy with family stories. Watching the Superbowl and focusing on the million-dollar ads, we yearn for the bravery and the loneliness of the original players. Come back to a time when the helmets had no face guards, when the men played without padding, and when strategy and sportsmanship ruled the gridiron.

In Finding Their Stride, Sally Pont, a runner, teacher, and second-generation coach, tells of her first year coaching a co-ed cross country team to victory, both on and off the course. A surprising story of triumph, as well as an endearing tale of driven athletes, Pont shares the highlights and heartbreak of her young runners at Moravian Academy, a small, independent school near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Every page is infused with Pont''s affection and respect for her runners, and as the season unfolds, we see the team beginning to find a new stride. While the boys struggle, the girls soar to new heights, going from last place to first. "Uplifting and engaging, Finding Their Stride is "about attaining and teaching excellence, whose metaphor happens to be a high school running team" (Kirkus Reviews).