We Will Rise

A True Story of Tragedy and Resurrection in the American Heartland

De: Steve Beaven

Narrado por: Malcolm Hillgartner

The inspiring true story of the tragic loss and triumphant resurrection of a basketball team and its coach at the heart of a small Indiana town.

By 1977 the University of Evansville’s Purple Aces basketball team had won five small-college national championships. With a charismatic young coach and a freshman phenom, this small Indiana city hoped to see its team shine in the national spotlight. Then, on a foggy night, after just four games, the plane carrying the team and its coach crashed after takeoff, killing everyone on board.

The tragedy seemed insurmountable, a devastating blow to the identity of a fading factory town. But, with the support of a city in mourning, ambitious new coach Dick Walters promised to rebuild the cherished institution. Assembling a team of castoffs, walk-ons, and overachievers, Walters restored the legacy of the team and its fans. Against all odds, his young men made history.

A tribute to those who were lost, and to those who carried on, We Will Rise is the rich and powerful story of an underdog team and its fans and the spirit of a resilient community.

©2019 Steve Beaven (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Wow

Excellent book! Powerful and inspiring, a must read for any coach or leader of humans!

I remember my dad telling me the story of this night. I believe it was December 13, 1977.

I remember my dad telling me the story of December 13, 1977 and the University of Evansville plane crash. He said he was a junior play practice at Mount Carmel high school about maybe 45 minutes or an hour away from Evansville and I text him after I got this book with my last credit from this last month and he said I remember that night like it was yesterday. he said it was a rainy and foggy night and the plane and mechanical issues and I remember Mr. Mike Blake saying he was just coming back from covering high school games at Roberts Stadium , he goes back to the station and he sees the station manager in there and I don’t remember what was exactly said, but his station manager looked at him and said it’s the Aces. I am enjoying this book because I only know bits and pieces of the story. Now I get to hear the whole story. I live in Mount Carmel Illinois just across the Wabash River from Evansville.

Struggled to finish

I would have enjoyed this book more if it told the personal stories of those impacted by the crash. Instead it was many chapters of the history of the town and college that seemed totally irrelevant to me. It read like a college book report. Although not a basketball fan at all, I had hoped to connect with the personal stories of the people involved, but that didn't happen. I felt very disconnected.

An incredible “play-by-play” story of hope, despair, and perseverance.

Glad I didn’t shelf this book early on. Too many unnecessary details in the beginning chapters (unless you’re from Indiana). Once it moved forward, the momentum continued and grabbed my attention. It was hard to put this book down, and the narrator did an excellent job of keeping my interest. A heartfelt true story from our heartland!