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The Animal Keepers - The Story of an Unlikely Hero and an Unforgettable Season
The Animal Keepers tells the true story of the Stevens Point High School cross country team and their unforgettable journey through the 1985 season. Joined by first year runner Scott The Animal Longley - a developmentally disabled student who lived in a group home - the year takes an unexpected turn as this most unlikely hero leads them on a quest for a state title. Surrounded by a group of serious and dedicated runners The Animal set out to prove he belonged. Driven by his incredible enthusiasm and never ending optimism the 85 season became a voyage of discovery for Scott, his coach, and his teammates as they worked to assemble a competitive team from a jumble of spare parts. Told from the perspective of a young coach this is a book about running, competing, and team building, but at its center this is the story of a young man with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities who loved to run, loved to compete, and most of all loved being part of a team.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
272 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
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March 10, 2025(As a rule, I don’t rate memoirs)
Loved hearing about this inspirational rag tag team of runners who reach the pinnacle of HS cross country.
Some parts made me sad and I appreciate how far we’ve come as a society promoting inclusion and the health and welfare of disadvantaged children.
Loved hearing about this inspirational rag tag team of runners who reach the pinnacle of HS cross country.
Some parts made me sad and I appreciate how far we’ve come as a society promoting inclusion and the health and welfare of disadvantaged children.
March 23, 2025
One of the best sports books I’ve ever read, recommended to me by Tom Rapp, one of the best coaches I’ve ever been fortunate to know. A powerful narrative of human decency, belief, teamwork, and resiliency. The ending had me in tears. Need this one to be a movie.
January 12, 2025
As an avid distance runner who has finished 32 marathons, I mostly enjoyed Donn Behnke's "The Animal Keepers." The book is testament to being open to people who are seemingly different, how meaningful it is to be part of a supportive team, and what we can accomplish through hard work and dedication. The unique part of the story is Scott Longley, a young man living in a group home with some special needs who joins the Stevens Point, Wisconsin cross country team in 1985. Behnke was the young coach at Stevens Point and had already achieved success prior to 1985. The book is testament to teamwork and friendship. After an improbable state cross country meet, the realities of how the State of Wisconsin treated people such as Scott become all too real. While a very successful cross country coach, Behnke isn't a professional writer. A better editor would have helped. There is a lot of repetition and sometimes far too much detail about individual days and circumstances. Overall, a touching, inspiring, yet sometimes sad story. Distance runners will likely find the book more enjoyable than non-runners.
June 3, 2021
The Animal Keepers... Such a fantastic book. A book about a topic as bland as a cross country season does not seem captivating to most people but the way that Donn Behnke writes about his team, full of pride and passion, it makes the book more than interesting enough to turn pages.
It isn't about an ordinary cross country season either, so much happened in that fall of 1985 that it is worthy of an entire book. There are emotional twists and turns throughout, especially regarding Scott Longly, that make the book about way more than a couple good races and a state title.
Another thing that made the book so enjoyable for me is the connections I could make, being a cross country runner myself I could see the field house, visualize the guys running, put myself in their shoes, and hear Donns little speeches in my head as if I were there.
I loved this book and you should absolutely give it a read even if you don't care for running at all.
It isn't about an ordinary cross country season either, so much happened in that fall of 1985 that it is worthy of an entire book. There are emotional twists and turns throughout, especially regarding Scott Longly, that make the book about way more than a couple good races and a state title.
Another thing that made the book so enjoyable for me is the connections I could make, being a cross country runner myself I could see the field house, visualize the guys running, put myself in their shoes, and hear Donns little speeches in my head as if I were there.
I loved this book and you should absolutely give it a read even if you don't care for running at all.
September 20, 2017
This is a great true story of a Cross Country team and a developmentally disabled boy from a group home who joined the team. It is heartwarming to see his unbridled enthusiasm for the sport and for being part of a team. It was inspiring to see how the team worked to inspire one another and became state champions. It is a great read that I highly recommend!
November 10, 2018
This book is an incredible story of the importance of teamwork and accepting individual's with disabilities. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heart warming. It is highly engaging and it will have you hooked whether you are an athlete, coach, or just an avid reader. This book has a powerful message.
July 18, 2025
A wonderful story that really shows the power that sports can have on people. One of the very best running books I’ve ever read. Bought this directly from Coach Behnke in the Summer of ‘24 at a coaching summit, where he was gracious enough to talk about that ‘85 cross country season.
July 5, 2017
Wow, so good. This story is so awesome. As a coach of runners I was so moved by this books. It's always cross country season in my heart!
January 23, 2018
This book is one of the best books I've ever read
February 1, 2018
I know nothing of cross country but absolutely adored this book. And the fact that it's all true makes it even better!
January 12, 2025
Lovely memories of running CC in the 80s and a truly inspiring story of The Animal and his team!
January 20, 2025
Not a literary moment here; but the story is fun and uplifting. Anyone who ran distance in the 1980s will appreciate some of the storytelling details.
March 21, 2017
Loved it! Read this for book club and was so happy it was chosen since it wasn't something I would've known even existed if I hadn't been told. Such a great story!
January 13, 2024
Such a cool, well-told story from an unsung part of the athletic world (outside of running lore). Only real complaints were with the editing - some grammatical issues - but mainly that the photos inserted randomly in the middle of the book gave away the big-payoff ending. Spoiler-alert needed for those at minimum!
May 25, 2018
I give this book 5 stars, mainly because it's an inspiring true story that takes place in my hometown (Stevens Point, Wisconsin). Also, because it tells a story of how a boy overcame is unfortunate situations by not letting the negatives outweigh the positives. People who enjoy non-fiction, realistic stories will enjoy this book.
This story takes place in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, during the cross-country teams 1985 season. Coach--and author--Donn Behnke had been coaching for years, and the 1985 season was different than all of them. A new runner showed up to practice one day, named Scott Longley. He was nicknamed “Animal” after being extremely enthusiastic and crazy. Along with that, he had developmental learning disabilities, as well as he was living with a foster family. The team deals with the actual cross-country aspect, however they--along with Coach Behnke--need to figure out a way to help Animal stay on the team. During the season, the team along with Animal learn to work together. They also learn that they need to fight to keep Animal, someone they thought they didn’t need. One of my favorite lines from the book was, “I knew that the disheveled figure to Jerry’s left was no ordinary student. In an instant, I could tell this was a person with special needs. Tall with thick, heavy eyebrows, a haystack of wavy, unruly brown hair, and a chin covered with scruffy whiskers, he seemed like a kid in need of a shave, a haircut, and a good long shower,” (Behnke, 19). This line makes me laugh from the elaborate description, but it also makes me connect to my own life. Everyone judges everyone, it’s just human nature. However, we convince ourselves our judgments or assumptions are correct. This story is just an example of how our judgments of people aren’t always correct, and that we need to give everyone a chance to define themselves.
This story shows a journey through not only the sport of cross-country, but through family, and the team along with Donn Behnke understanding each other. As well as it helps the reader connect to their own lives/experiences, and learn the saying said one hundred times before; don’t judge a book by its cover.
This story takes place in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, during the cross-country teams 1985 season. Coach--and author--Donn Behnke had been coaching for years, and the 1985 season was different than all of them. A new runner showed up to practice one day, named Scott Longley. He was nicknamed “Animal” after being extremely enthusiastic and crazy. Along with that, he had developmental learning disabilities, as well as he was living with a foster family. The team deals with the actual cross-country aspect, however they--along with Coach Behnke--need to figure out a way to help Animal stay on the team. During the season, the team along with Animal learn to work together. They also learn that they need to fight to keep Animal, someone they thought they didn’t need. One of my favorite lines from the book was, “I knew that the disheveled figure to Jerry’s left was no ordinary student. In an instant, I could tell this was a person with special needs. Tall with thick, heavy eyebrows, a haystack of wavy, unruly brown hair, and a chin covered with scruffy whiskers, he seemed like a kid in need of a shave, a haircut, and a good long shower,” (Behnke, 19). This line makes me laugh from the elaborate description, but it also makes me connect to my own life. Everyone judges everyone, it’s just human nature. However, we convince ourselves our judgments or assumptions are correct. This story is just an example of how our judgments of people aren’t always correct, and that we need to give everyone a chance to define themselves.
This story shows a journey through not only the sport of cross-country, but through family, and the team along with Donn Behnke understanding each other. As well as it helps the reader connect to their own lives/experiences, and learn the saying said one hundred times before; don’t judge a book by its cover.
February 27, 2017
Loved this book. Brought back many great memories. That was same year as my senior year in cross country. We had our own animal. Not nearly as good, in fact he always finished last, but the spirit was there. Thanks for trip down memory lane and sharing a great story
February 20, 2016
I'm a sucker for an inspirational, true sports story, like Remember the Titans, The Blind Side or The Rookie. This book more than holds its own in that impressive company. Plus, it all took place just 25 miles from where I now live! (I felt pangs of sympathy imagining all the non-Wisconsinites who will read this and have no idea how to pronounce the Native American city names like Oconomowoc or Manitowoc.)
The Stevens Point Area Senior High cross country team had a reputation of dominance, but the 1985 season was really supposed to be the proverbial "season to rebuild." Out of nowhere, a special ed kid named Scott, whose parents were completely out of the picture and who lived in a group home, joined the team. He quickly won over his skeptical coach, Donn Behnke (the author) and teammates with not only surprising ability, but with his raw enthusiasm and appreciation for so many things his team takes for granted. For example, Behnke tells how, for most athletes, a medal quickly finds its way to the bottom of a drawer or a duffle bag, but for Scott, his medals were cherished rewards, rendered even more so because he had so few possessions.
I can't begin to count the number of times I said to myself, "I cannot believe this all actually happened!" During the week leading up to the state tournament there are no less than four unbelievable events that, if presented in a fiction novel, would have drawn criticism as being too much, an outrageous attempt to create extra drama. But it's all true.
It's not just a simple feel-good story, because there are moments of real sadness. Behnke does an outstanding job of conveying his own emotions, as well as those of Scott and the team. And yet he doesn't seem to be trying to tug at the heartstrings. He tells the story in a straight forward manner, without introducing unnecessary suspense or drama.
This book NEEDS to become a movie. The screenwriters wouldn't have a change a thing. It is an amazing story.
The Stevens Point Area Senior High cross country team had a reputation of dominance, but the 1985 season was really supposed to be the proverbial "season to rebuild." Out of nowhere, a special ed kid named Scott, whose parents were completely out of the picture and who lived in a group home, joined the team. He quickly won over his skeptical coach, Donn Behnke (the author) and teammates with not only surprising ability, but with his raw enthusiasm and appreciation for so many things his team takes for granted. For example, Behnke tells how, for most athletes, a medal quickly finds its way to the bottom of a drawer or a duffle bag, but for Scott, his medals were cherished rewards, rendered even more so because he had so few possessions.
I can't begin to count the number of times I said to myself, "I cannot believe this all actually happened!" During the week leading up to the state tournament there are no less than four unbelievable events that, if presented in a fiction novel, would have drawn criticism as being too much, an outrageous attempt to create extra drama. But it's all true.
It's not just a simple feel-good story, because there are moments of real sadness. Behnke does an outstanding job of conveying his own emotions, as well as those of Scott and the team. And yet he doesn't seem to be trying to tug at the heartstrings. He tells the story in a straight forward manner, without introducing unnecessary suspense or drama.
This book NEEDS to become a movie. The screenwriters wouldn't have a change a thing. It is an amazing story.
January 28, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this. It made me wish so badly that I had run XC in high school.
It made me realize how incredibly much I've taken for granted having two parents looking after my interests my entire life. And it also made me feel like I've been wasting the last few years of my life not coaching track and XC.
There were a few small things that made me cringe. One was the author's quip about all rap music of the time all sounding the same. It's fine with me if he didn't like rap... but the description he uses is just ignorant. He could have just said that the kids played hip hop despite his personal distaste for it would read much better. Also, his need to tell an Asian student that he couldn't pull off a convincing impression of his classmate based on his different appearance seemed a bit unnecessary.
I don't mean to give any impression whatsoever than I think the author is a bad person.... I just liked his story so very, very much and I don't think he realizes how these two moments could come across. I mean, I get it. 1985 Stevens Point Wisconsin was very white.
I should say I think the author is a great person and I'm sure he has had a very positive impact on the students he's taught and runners that he has coached. Bravo!
It made me realize how incredibly much I've taken for granted having two parents looking after my interests my entire life. And it also made me feel like I've been wasting the last few years of my life not coaching track and XC.
There were a few small things that made me cringe. One was the author's quip about all rap music of the time all sounding the same. It's fine with me if he didn't like rap... but the description he uses is just ignorant. He could have just said that the kids played hip hop despite his personal distaste for it would read much better. Also, his need to tell an Asian student that he couldn't pull off a convincing impression of his classmate based on his different appearance seemed a bit unnecessary.
I don't mean to give any impression whatsoever than I think the author is a bad person.... I just liked his story so very, very much and I don't think he realizes how these two moments could come across. I mean, I get it. 1985 Stevens Point Wisconsin was very white.
I should say I think the author is a great person and I'm sure he has had a very positive impact on the students he's taught and runners that he has coached. Bravo!
August 23, 2017
When I started reading The Animal Keepers I could not put it down. I finished the book in one day that's how good it is. The Animal Keepers is a story told from the perspective of a High School Cross Country Coach Donn Behnke. A special needs student Scott " The Animal" Longley with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities tries out and earns a spot on the HS Cross Country team in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The coach brings together a group of young men and this special needs student who excel in running. The key figure in the story is Scott who overcomes immense obstacles to earn a spot as one of the top runners on what ends up being a state championship team. I like the way the coach tells this story and his influence on his team. It is very moving and inspiring story that is hard to put down. The most important part of the story is the influence it will have on your understanding and care of people with disabilities. A easy read and definitely worth it.
November 17, 2015
Sometimes, you need to cleanse your palate.
The Animal Keepers can actually renew your faith in others, or at the very least kids. It is a reminder that minds come into this world untarnished. People dont automatically carry bias with them through the birth canal. Rather, they are trained to be petty and jealous. If a group of high school runners find commonality through the most uncommon of men, there must be hope for the race (a clever pun I must admit).
The Animal Keepers can actually renew your faith in others, or at the very least kids. It is a reminder that minds come into this world untarnished. People dont automatically carry bias with them through the birth canal. Rather, they are trained to be petty and jealous. If a group of high school runners find commonality through the most uncommon of men, there must be hope for the race (a clever pun I must admit).
July 2, 2016
A wonderfully well written account of an unforgettable 1985 cross country season in Wisconsin. It was so well written that Disney could pick up the movie rights to this real good, feel good story. This book was seriously hard to put down which makes it a quick read. A heart warming and motivational read for anyone that enjoys the sport of running and probably even if you don't. This book really took me back to my younger days as I too ran cross country in Wisconsin.
November 18, 2015
Incredible. If you have any connection to running or if you love true, inspirational sports stories, this book is a must-read. If this would have been published by a big publisher it would be at the top of best book of the year lists.
March 23, 2017
An interesting collection of characters in this true story of high school athletics. I came to it on back of the excellent 'Running with the Buffaloes', but frankly Chris Lear's book is better written and has better insights in to what athletes go through.
March 19, 2016
Fun, quick team sports, individual-overcoming-odds story - made me want to go run intervals, go do long runs, run with a pack. Donn's passion resonates throughout. I haven't read many teacher/coach memoirs - turns out they were normal people, too.
December 9, 2015
Awesome story. Really cool team and circumstances. I almost cried after the state meet scene.
December 16, 2016
Quick read... great story whether you are a runner or not.
October 24, 2015
A great story about friends of mine from high high school.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews