{"product_id":"a-soaring-season-aaron-bracy-9781955041430","title":"A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe remarkable 2003-04 Saint Joseph's Hawks, led by underdog stars Jameer Nelson and Delonte West, achieved a perfect season and captivated college basketball with their tenacity and team spirit.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the 2003-04 season, Saint Joseph's became the most unlikely and most incredible story in college basketball. The underdog Hawks captivated the entire city of Philadelphia and much of the nation with a unique, guard-oriented style and team-first mentality featuring players who were not wanted by power conferences. Big-time programs passed over star point guard Jameer Nelson because of his height, but Nelson played an oversized, sensational game that dwarfed his 5 feet, 11 inches height. Nelson's backcourt mate, Delonte West, was a lightly recruited prospect out of high school but transformed himself into an NBA first-round draft pick with a work ethic and competitive drive that never had been seen before or since on Hawk Hill.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOutspoken head coach Phil Martelli--overlooked for the only job he had ever wanted until he was nearly 41 years old--surrounded Nelson and West with a perfect cast of complementary players. Individually, none of Nelson and West's teammates would be mentioned as an All-American candidate. Put all of the Hawks together, however, and you had a practically unstoppable force. Not only did the players accept their roles, they relished them. And each one's contribution, from Nelson and West all the way down to former cheerleader and walk-on Robert Hartshorn, was crucial to the entire team's success.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Hawks, spurred on by a mascot who never stops flapping its wings and a never-quit school mantra--\u003ci\u003eThe Hawk Will Never Die\u003c\/i\u003e--played their games in a gym that wasn't even as modern as many high schools. Not much about the Hawks' home felt big-time--not much, that is, except their team. It was this low-budget, mom-and-pop men's basketball program that overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to complete a perfect regular season, rise to the unanimous No. 1 ranking in the country, and become the envy of the blue bloods of the sport. St. Joe's provided hope then and today by reminding everyone that you don't have to be the biggest to beat the biggest or have the best to be the best.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Aaron Bracy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1955041431\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781955041430\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Brookline Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/01\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 288\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover","brand":"Aaron Bracy","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":46431657918719,"sku":"9781955041430","price":32.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_671d7d93-95fc-40f9-b21b-11a888b72242.jpg?v=1735141999","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/a-soaring-season-aaron-bracy-9781955041430","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}