Lessons of the Game: The Betrayal of an All-American Football Star

by Derek Sparks, Stuart K. Robinson

Payoffs (under the table cash), grade tampering , eligibility scandals, illegal recruitment tactics, lies, deception and immorality are all a continuous part of this real life story. It shows the twisted nature of coaches, administrators, and family, hell-bent on winning while ambivalent to the academic and personal development of the student athlete. Derek Sparks shows us what it takes to keep a dream alive, in this story of his transfer to four different high schools in four different years. He faces the challenges of loneliness, temptation, ostracism, while living in a gang-land enviroment. He also fights a desperate battle to prove his eligibility, while protecting his scholarship offers, and acheive qualifying SAT scores even after an insidious vow from his "YOU'LL NEVER PLAY ORGANIZED FOOTBALL AGAIN!" Derek's story delivers a message to today's students seeking a future in athletics, or to the average student seeking a future in life. It tells of the wisdom and maturity a 21st century student must have to steer their way through a maze of manipulators and opportunists. Through his mistakes and his successes, Derek conveys his testimony with a vision of a better way. END

232 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 1999

Reviews

[Derek Shetterly · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a student playing high school ball, you should read this. If you’re a parent to a child who balls, you should read this. If you’re a coach in any sport, you should read this...

Playing devil’s advocate, Derek Sparks tells his own cautionary tale. A story of how from a young age, certain grown individuals choose instead of fostering positive camaraderie and competition amongst their athletes, instead to poison and corrupt kids, both on and off the field. Amongst the psychological bombardment, Derek accounts his coaches and administrators purchasing himself and other transfer athletes a house whilst in high school, just to tear it down a year later for school renovations. Derek’s uncle often pleaded for Derek to receive a decent education, but in the name of fame, that ain’t the game.

“Just run the ball.”

[Hamza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read. I couldn't put this book down. I loved the small chapters because it felt like I was starting a new journey and beginning a whole new story with D. It's an eye opening account of what a star football player and athlete, goes through, in their quest to accomplish their dream. It's a shame that there are leeches and scabs waiting at every turn to try and get a piece of the Athlete. No spoilers here, just let me know what you think after you read it.