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Walk-On, Life From the End of the Bench, a True Story of Persverance and Faith From a Teammate Who Was Not the Star SIGNED
Most people don't know what it's like to hit a game-winning shot or how it feels to be the first player picked at recess. Alan Williams knew nothing about being the star, but a courageous basketball player shows that one can still find success in the midst of failure. Even though Alan's career didn't result in him being a lottery pick in the first round of the NBA draft, Walk-On gives each of us something to cheer about. From the end of the bench, a firsthand view of major college basketball proves that ultimate fulfillment in life is not found in how many points we score, but in having a hope and a faith in those things in life which cannot be seen.JOIN THE FIGHT FOR CANCERJIMMY V A portion of the proceeds from Walk-On will be donated to the V Foundation, an organization helping to support cancer research. The V Foundation was founded in memory of the late Jim Valvano, former coach of NC STATE, who died years ago of cancer.
228 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2005
55 people want to read
About the author
Alan Williams
63 books22 followersAlan Williams worked as a script editor for the BBC, working on Absolutely Fabulous, Birds of a Feather and Keeping up Appearances amongst others. He went on to edit Writers' Monthly and now publishes two influential films and television magazines. He lives in Blackheath, London, has won awards for his short stories, and includes dieting and chocolate éclairs as his hobbies.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 11, 2013
1.) Book Title: Walk-On: Life from the End of the Bench
2.) Author: Alan Williams
3.) Total Pages: 228
4.) Rating: 4 stars
5.) Two-three sentence summary: Walk-On is a book all about a kid who works as hard as he can everyday to achieve his dream of being a successful basketball player. Alan Williams walks-ons to the Wake forrest basketball team and does what ever he can do to get playing time. He goes through emotional and physical pain throughout his whole college career just to set at the end of a bench.
6.) My favorite character is Alan Williams. Alan works as hard as he can to be a better player and person. He is the perfect role model because he made the best out of what he had. He is the most inspiring character I have ever come across in a book. He didn't want to make millions in the NBA or be the star of the team, all he wanted was to be on the Wake Forrest basketball team and he did everything in his power to make that happen.
7.) The most motivational and inspiring book I've read! Spectacular book!
2.) Author: Alan Williams
3.) Total Pages: 228
4.) Rating: 4 stars
5.) Two-three sentence summary: Walk-On is a book all about a kid who works as hard as he can everyday to achieve his dream of being a successful basketball player. Alan Williams walks-ons to the Wake forrest basketball team and does what ever he can do to get playing time. He goes through emotional and physical pain throughout his whole college career just to set at the end of a bench.
6.) My favorite character is Alan Williams. Alan works as hard as he can to be a better player and person. He is the perfect role model because he made the best out of what he had. He is the most inspiring character I have ever come across in a book. He didn't want to make millions in the NBA or be the star of the team, all he wanted was to be on the Wake Forrest basketball team and he did everything in his power to make that happen.
7.) The most motivational and inspiring book I've read! Spectacular book!
June 2, 2008
It's a little weird to "review" this book as the author is a friend to me and some of the people that will read this review. But if you don't know Alan and/or haven't read this book, you really should. It may not end up being your favorite book, but there is almost no chance of you not liking it and being up lifted by it in some way. Alan really expresses one of the greatest reason to love sports, the bonds that are unique to teammate relationships. Plus his stories from playing at Wake Forest are great.
July 20, 2018
I never heard of Alan Williams before reading this book. However, it brought tears to my eyes several times just connecting with his love for the game, along with gratefulness to God as a result of his provision.
This guy played four years at Wake Forest [a great school in the ACC of Division 1-the top collegiate level] and played a total of 120 minutes in his career. Could you do that??? Most absolutely could not--especially as a result of what is required of Division 1 basketball players. Maybe the bigger question is WHY would he do so, when SO much was not guaranteed. The answer: 1) The love of the game; 2) yearning to be a part of a team on the top level of college basketball.
As a high school basketball coach, and former collegiate athlete myself [I played NAIA basketball & soccer], I really connected with his struggles when things did not go his way. His work ethic, perseverance, attitude, faith, & commitment are extremely admirable. His brief interaction with legendary sports commentator, Dick Vitale, was especially cherished. I hope and pray my reading of this book will benefit others, as I share some insights from it.
I liked how he included different quotes throughout the book that were inspirational and challenging as well. Here are some I particularly appreciate:
"Dreams come a size too big so that we can grow into them" (Anonymous).
"You can learn a lot about a man by the promises he keeps in small conversation" (Alan Williams' dad).
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less" (Timothy Keller).
"If I cool it, I won't help you guys get ready for next week's games" (Rudy).
"Confidence is the result of hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication" (Roger Staubach).
"Sports do not build character...they reveal it" (John Wooden).
"Ability is what you're capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it" (Lou Holtz).
"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do" (John Wooden).
"The only place you can win a football game is on the field. The only place you can lose it is in your heart" (Darrell Royal).
"Goals:
1. Gain 5 pounds of muscle; become stronger
2. Get a quicker release on my jump shot
3. Build endurance; be ready for conditioning
4. Become quicker off the dribble
5. Become a better mid-range shooter
How I will accomplish those goals:
1. Talk to someone who knows about nutrition; eat better and lift weights four times a week; 50 push-ups before I go to bed every night
2. Work on shooting every day (500 shots a day)
3. Get on a running program, combination of distance and sprints
4. Do a series of full-court dribbling drills and stationary ball-handling drills each day
5. Force myself to work on mid-range jumper in pick-up games"
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy" (Dr. MLK Jr.).
"When you are doing what you love to do, no one has to motivate you" (Rick Warren).
"Every worthwhile accomplishment in life, big or little, has its stage of drudgery and triumph, a beginning, a struggle, a victory" (Anonymous).
"A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; a great faith will bring heaven to your soul" (Charles Spurgeon).
"Everything God sends into our lives must be necessary. Everything he doesn't send must not be necessary" (John Newton).
"People may refuse our love or reject our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers" (Rick Warren).
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there" (John Wooden).
"All life-long friendships are born the moment you meet someone who sees what you see, hears what you hear" (C.S. Lewis).
This guy played four years at Wake Forest [a great school in the ACC of Division 1-the top collegiate level] and played a total of 120 minutes in his career. Could you do that??? Most absolutely could not--especially as a result of what is required of Division 1 basketball players. Maybe the bigger question is WHY would he do so, when SO much was not guaranteed. The answer: 1) The love of the game; 2) yearning to be a part of a team on the top level of college basketball.
As a high school basketball coach, and former collegiate athlete myself [I played NAIA basketball & soccer], I really connected with his struggles when things did not go his way. His work ethic, perseverance, attitude, faith, & commitment are extremely admirable. His brief interaction with legendary sports commentator, Dick Vitale, was especially cherished. I hope and pray my reading of this book will benefit others, as I share some insights from it.
I liked how he included different quotes throughout the book that were inspirational and challenging as well. Here are some I particularly appreciate:
"Dreams come a size too big so that we can grow into them" (Anonymous).
"You can learn a lot about a man by the promises he keeps in small conversation" (Alan Williams' dad).
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less" (Timothy Keller).
"If I cool it, I won't help you guys get ready for next week's games" (Rudy).
"Confidence is the result of hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication" (Roger Staubach).
"Sports do not build character...they reveal it" (John Wooden).
"Ability is what you're capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it" (Lou Holtz).
"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do" (John Wooden).
"The only place you can win a football game is on the field. The only place you can lose it is in your heart" (Darrell Royal).
"Goals:
1. Gain 5 pounds of muscle; become stronger
2. Get a quicker release on my jump shot
3. Build endurance; be ready for conditioning
4. Become quicker off the dribble
5. Become a better mid-range shooter
How I will accomplish those goals:
1. Talk to someone who knows about nutrition; eat better and lift weights four times a week; 50 push-ups before I go to bed every night
2. Work on shooting every day (500 shots a day)
3. Get on a running program, combination of distance and sprints
4. Do a series of full-court dribbling drills and stationary ball-handling drills each day
5. Force myself to work on mid-range jumper in pick-up games"
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy" (Dr. MLK Jr.).
"When you are doing what you love to do, no one has to motivate you" (Rick Warren).
"Every worthwhile accomplishment in life, big or little, has its stage of drudgery and triumph, a beginning, a struggle, a victory" (Anonymous).
"A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; a great faith will bring heaven to your soul" (Charles Spurgeon).
"Everything God sends into our lives must be necessary. Everything he doesn't send must not be necessary" (John Newton).
"People may refuse our love or reject our message, but they are defenseless against our prayers" (Rick Warren).
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there" (John Wooden).
"All life-long friendships are born the moment you meet someone who sees what you see, hears what you hear" (C.S. Lewis).
June 13, 2023
If you love sports, you should enjoy this one. This book is a easy yet enjoyable read about the life of Alan Williams, a 4 year walk-on for the Wake Forest University Basketball team, and really gives a glimpse into the lives of many walk-on D-1 athletes across the country.
Alan dives into the difficulties of earning his way 4 straight years not to become a star player, a starter, or even the 6th man, but simply to becoming a teammate. “Buddy”, as they call him, knows how to make fun of himself making for some good humor along the way yet at same time does not hide the realities of life as a walk-on.
Through the many stories he shares, Alan consistently points back to Jesus Christ as his rock during hardships and as his hope pressing him forward to being the best teammate he can be. Great read.
Alan dives into the difficulties of earning his way 4 straight years not to become a star player, a starter, or even the 6th man, but simply to becoming a teammate. “Buddy”, as they call him, knows how to make fun of himself making for some good humor along the way yet at same time does not hide the realities of life as a walk-on.
Through the many stories he shares, Alan consistently points back to Jesus Christ as his rock during hardships and as his hope pressing him forward to being the best teammate he can be. Great read.
January 29, 2019
Walk-On provides an interesting perspective about life as a college basketball player, it is a must-read for anyone who is a fan of the game. Alan talks about his trials and tribulations transitions from playing high school ball to just barely making onto a D1 college roster. He documents his struggles and triumphs in his 4-year career at Wake Forest. It's an inspiring story, one that has you rooting for Alan the whole way through. Great read.
June 22, 2021
Much more than a book about about Basketball. This is a story of Faith and the reader can't help to reflect upon his own life when hearing Alan Williams journey and insights
Although the book is simply written, it is also very touching
82 out of 100
Although the book is simply written, it is also very touching
82 out of 100
November 26, 2019
Very much enjoyed this book. Great perspective from the bench....kind of a "behind the scenes" viewpoint. A quick and easy read!
November 8, 2021
Glad Alan Williams wrote this book - it’s a perspective you don’t get anywhere else
July 27, 2023
i loved this book the first & second time i read it! it’s a cool new perspective from someone who wasn’t the star athlete necessarily. fun read that i’ll probably come back to again
September 25, 2023
Used book sale purchase
February 7, 2012
Cole Lancaster
Mr. Pollock
English 9-1
26 January 2012
Williams, Alan. Walk-On. Austin, Texas: New Heights Press, 2006.
It’s a hard time when you give everything you have to be denied. In Walk-On, Alan Williams tells his journey as not only a Wake Forest basketball walk-on but as a college student. While Alan struggles very often, he uses the struggles as motivation to get better. Not at one point did he give up. He just worked harder.
The first time Alan was cut from the team, he was devastated. He thought basketball was over in his life and almost gave up. Then he realized this: “My meeting with Coach Sanderson five days before...wasn’t going to be enough to make me go away. Next year’s season was a long way away… I knew that, in order to get back on the team, I had to be relentless in my pursuit” (Williams 84). In this moment, Alan used the devastating news as fuel to improve and he was determined to get his jersey back. I can really relate to this passage. At St. X, I was turned down as a soccer player for being too short and was named a training player. Even though this angered me, I knew that in the practices I had to work twice as hard as the other guys to prove myself. Later in the season, I assume that my coach knew what I was capable of and I was finally able to play. In another moment in the book, Alan put in the extra effort by “slow[ing] [their] pace to go back to where the two strangles were. We go on all sides of them…had hands on their backs as we yelled at [the slower teammates] to speed up” (Williams 161). Not only did he put in extra help for himself, but for others. Even though my position at St. X for the first few weeks was trainer, I also had to help my team mates get better just like Alan. I think this action showed how much of a motivational guy Alan is.
Alan was also a very religious man and was committed to service. He had “been to Mexico twice, Romania once, and (one summer during college) to Ukraine, where [his family] and [him], set up basketball camps for small cities….sharing the Gospel” (Williams 132). It showed that basketball was Alan’s life but he knew he wouldn’t be a star so he wanted to share his limited abilities with kids that had nothing. One of his quotes in the book is unforgettable to me. He says “[The Ukrainian Children] were rich because they had faith: faith that one day it won’t matter that their basketball courts were cracked or that their socks didn’t always match…one day the will enter a perfect court” (Williams 135). This quote may be one of the greatest messages to live by. Alan meant that it didn’t matter about anything except for if you have faith. In various points Alan mentions that faith is what’s getting him through his struggles. Like Alan, I love the game of soccer but also love teaching others the game. Faith is also what gets me through some of my struggles because I know God is always there for me.
Throughout, Alan didn’t get treated as a member of the team by the staff, but he was treated as family by the other players. In his freshman year, Alan did not receive the team bag that everyone else did. This did upset him but his friend, Robert O’Kelly, gave his bag up for Alan. Alan also was asked to move from the couch to the stool one pre-game but Josh Howard, a current player for the Mavericks, stood up for him. This team would “give their shirt off [their] back for any of [them]” (Williams 181). This is truly what a team is supposed to be made of. Also at St. X, I had to share a locker with the other training player, which frustrated me. Even though I was a training player, my team didn’t look at me as that; but as a player just like them and when I got to play games, they supported me just like the others.
On Alan’s exit from the arena for the last time, Alan “walked away with a lot more than a bag full of shoes” (Williams 210). I think this will be true for me as I walk out of the locker room for the last. Even though the physical part of it is over, the memories will last forever.
Mr. Pollock
English 9-1
26 January 2012
Williams, Alan. Walk-On. Austin, Texas: New Heights Press, 2006.
It’s a hard time when you give everything you have to be denied. In Walk-On, Alan Williams tells his journey as not only a Wake Forest basketball walk-on but as a college student. While Alan struggles very often, he uses the struggles as motivation to get better. Not at one point did he give up. He just worked harder.
The first time Alan was cut from the team, he was devastated. He thought basketball was over in his life and almost gave up. Then he realized this: “My meeting with Coach Sanderson five days before...wasn’t going to be enough to make me go away. Next year’s season was a long way away… I knew that, in order to get back on the team, I had to be relentless in my pursuit” (Williams 84). In this moment, Alan used the devastating news as fuel to improve and he was determined to get his jersey back. I can really relate to this passage. At St. X, I was turned down as a soccer player for being too short and was named a training player. Even though this angered me, I knew that in the practices I had to work twice as hard as the other guys to prove myself. Later in the season, I assume that my coach knew what I was capable of and I was finally able to play. In another moment in the book, Alan put in the extra effort by “slow[ing] [their] pace to go back to where the two strangles were. We go on all sides of them…had hands on their backs as we yelled at [the slower teammates] to speed up” (Williams 161). Not only did he put in extra help for himself, but for others. Even though my position at St. X for the first few weeks was trainer, I also had to help my team mates get better just like Alan. I think this action showed how much of a motivational guy Alan is.
Alan was also a very religious man and was committed to service. He had “been to Mexico twice, Romania once, and (one summer during college) to Ukraine, where [his family] and [him], set up basketball camps for small cities….sharing the Gospel” (Williams 132). It showed that basketball was Alan’s life but he knew he wouldn’t be a star so he wanted to share his limited abilities with kids that had nothing. One of his quotes in the book is unforgettable to me. He says “[The Ukrainian Children] were rich because they had faith: faith that one day it won’t matter that their basketball courts were cracked or that their socks didn’t always match…one day the will enter a perfect court” (Williams 135). This quote may be one of the greatest messages to live by. Alan meant that it didn’t matter about anything except for if you have faith. In various points Alan mentions that faith is what’s getting him through his struggles. Like Alan, I love the game of soccer but also love teaching others the game. Faith is also what gets me through some of my struggles because I know God is always there for me.
Throughout, Alan didn’t get treated as a member of the team by the staff, but he was treated as family by the other players. In his freshman year, Alan did not receive the team bag that everyone else did. This did upset him but his friend, Robert O’Kelly, gave his bag up for Alan. Alan also was asked to move from the couch to the stool one pre-game but Josh Howard, a current player for the Mavericks, stood up for him. This team would “give their shirt off [their] back for any of [them]” (Williams 181). This is truly what a team is supposed to be made of. Also at St. X, I had to share a locker with the other training player, which frustrated me. Even though I was a training player, my team didn’t look at me as that; but as a player just like them and when I got to play games, they supported me just like the others.
On Alan’s exit from the arena for the last time, Alan “walked away with a lot more than a bag full of shoes” (Williams 210). I think this will be true for me as I walk out of the locker room for the last. Even though the physical part of it is over, the memories will last forever.
Read
January 12, 2015This past six weeks, I completed reading the book Walk-On written by Alan Williams. This author wrote this story about his experiences being a four year walk-on basketball player at Wake Forest University. He currently works at a law firm in North Carolina and his parents live in San Antonio, Texas.
Alan Williams attended Wake Forest and had dreams of playing basketball for his favorite team, the Demon Deacons. He was fortunate to be a member of the team while only getting very limited playing time. Commonly known as Buddy to his team mates, he was a hard-working, popular and dedicated player who experienced much adversity while never giving up his dream of being a member of this team.
Mr. Williams leaves the message to never give up and pursue your dreams. During his journey, Alan was considered a supportive team mate who continued to encourage his team throughout all four years. In this book, he made many remarks about life from the end of the bench, referencing the fact that he never played much while making life long memories and living out a dream. He only played a total of 59 total minutes over four years yet he remained so thankful for the opportunities.
I think this was a great book. It also encouraged me to never give up and I can apply that to sports, school, or any difficult trials in life. The stories that he shared throughout his journey were both entertaining and meaningful to me.
Athletes and especially basketball players and fans would be entertained by this book. Any reader could be motivated to persevere when facing hard trials if they listen to the message in this . Be ready to not be able to put this book down once you start reading his book .
September 12, 2008
This is a must-read for Wake Forest basketball fans. For others, it's a nice, simply told tale of the transition from high school star to major college bench warmer. Williams talks about the faith that supported him and the moments of heartbreak. Williams understands that - while it would've been fun to be a star - he got some valuable lessons out of the struggle.
He presents a good model of perseverance for youngsters, in particular.
He presents a good model of perseverance for youngsters, in particular.
April 24, 2011
This is a great book for anyone who has ever had to spend a lot of time sitting on the bench while being part of a team. The story is of Alan Williams who played basketball for Wake Forest University in the early 2000's. He spend all four years as a Walk-on and never was given a scholarship. He talks about how he was just trying to maintain his position as a teammate. Mr. Williams is a Christian so he ties is how God strenghtened him and taught him during his four-year trial.
April 9, 2009
Interesting perspective on the game of college basketball
January 22, 2010
Despite errors that would make any Duke fan cringe (it's Cameron Indoor Stadium, not Cameron Indoor Arena, and Duhon is spelled with an h!), this was an enjoyable read.
May 9, 2010
Loved reading this book to get a glimpse of what Chris' experience was, and a look into D1 ball. Loved the life lessons from it as well.
November 5, 2011
Awesome story, and really neat to hear all of the behind-the-scenes stuff of D1 hoops.
November 5, 2011
Awesome story, and really neat to hear all of the behind-the-scenes stuff of D1 hoops.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews