The Heart of a Champion: A Basketball Coach's Memoir of a Championship Team

by Gus Alfieri

THE HEART OF A CHAMPION The Heart of A Champion trumpets the Golden Age of Long Island Basketball, from the late-1950s through the mid-1980s, producing 25-30 division I players. Coach Gus Alfieri took his 1973-1974 St. Anthony’s High School Basketball Team and used it as a microcosm of the era. In this memoir, he describes how he got into basketball, what inspired him to become a high school coach, and how he turned an inexperienced and struggling program into the #1 high school in New York State, #1 Catholic School in the country and the fifth best overall team in the nation. The climax of the book centers around St. Anthony’s defeating Lutheran High School in the first unofficial state tournament, held at Hofstra University before 6,500 basketball enthusiasts. This climatic game was labeled by Larry Sherman of the Long Island Press as, “The Super Bowl of High School Basketball.” Besides giving St. Anthony’s national attention, the victory over Lutheran was the 39th straight win on its way to a 49-game winning streak.

294 pages, Paperback

Published May 19, 2016

Reviews

[Susan Viscusi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an intoxicating read! Growing up watching my brothers play basketball, I was literally bored to tears - I absolutely loathed the sport. My dear friend Mayra, who happens to be Coach Alfieri's daughter-in-law, gifted me this book. I love reading memoirs, I was apprehensive at first being it was based on basketball, but once you begin this incredible read, you can not stop the journey it takes you on. What an incredible introduction to Long Island's legacy of high school basketball. Coach's creative writing skills and techniques are what kept me intrigued and glued to the edge of my seat as I visualized myself at the championship games he writes about. Through Coach's eyes, I entered into a new profound respect for this sport. Intoxicating and spellbound this read is. A must-read for all high school basketball players and followers. What an incredible legacy this man has created.

[Conal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever been a fan of high school basketball, especially the basketball played in the metro NY area during the 1970's, this is a book you will need to read for yourself. Detailed here is the rise of a high school basketball program that was done the right way. Hard work, determination and a winning attitude all played a part in a remarkable season that culminated in the first NY State Champions. I was a spectator at many of these games and this book brought back some wonderful memories of a time that has passed.

5 Stars for a truly entertaining read.