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Pounding the Rock: Basketball Dreams and Real Life in a Bronx High School
Welcome to Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, in a working-class corner of the Bronx, where a driven coach inspires his teams to win games and championships--and learn Russian history and graduate and go on to college.
In 2006, the Fannie Lou Hamer Panthers basketball team was 0-18. Since 2007, the year Marc Skelton, a New Hampshire native, took over as head coach, the Panthers' record has been 228-68, and they've won three Public School Athletic League championships and one statewide championship. This tiny 400-student school has become a powerhouse on the basketball court, as well as a public education success story and a symbol of the regeneration of its once blighted neighborhood.
In Pounding the Rock, Marc Skelton tells the thrilling story of the 2016-2017 season, as the Panthers seek to redeem an early exit from the playoffs the year before. But this is far more than a basketball story. It's a profile of a school that, against the odds, educates kids from the poorest congressional district in the country and sends the majority of them to college; of an unusual coach who studies the game with Talmudic intensity, demands as much of himself as he does of his players (a lot), and finds inspiration as much from Melville, Gogol, and Jacob Riis as from John Wooden; and of a squad of young men who battle against difficulties in life every day, and who don't know how to quit.
In a world of all too many downers, Pounding the Rock is one big up, on the court and off. All fans of basketball and of life will rise up and applaud.
In 2006, the Fannie Lou Hamer Panthers basketball team was 0-18. Since 2007, the year Marc Skelton, a New Hampshire native, took over as head coach, the Panthers' record has been 228-68, and they've won three Public School Athletic League championships and one statewide championship. This tiny 400-student school has become a powerhouse on the basketball court, as well as a public education success story and a symbol of the regeneration of its once blighted neighborhood.
In Pounding the Rock, Marc Skelton tells the thrilling story of the 2016-2017 season, as the Panthers seek to redeem an early exit from the playoffs the year before. But this is far more than a basketball story. It's a profile of a school that, against the odds, educates kids from the poorest congressional district in the country and sends the majority of them to college; of an unusual coach who studies the game with Talmudic intensity, demands as much of himself as he does of his players (a lot), and finds inspiration as much from Melville, Gogol, and Jacob Riis as from John Wooden; and of a squad of young men who battle against difficulties in life every day, and who don't know how to quit.
In a world of all too many downers, Pounding the Rock is one big up, on the court and off. All fans of basketball and of life will rise up and applaud.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published March 12, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 2, 2019
March Madness is a term that as a sports fan I know all too well. Growing up I helped my father choose the teams for his NCAA tournament pool at work and I have won a few pools in my time as well albeit if they came in eighth grade home room. In high school I was fortunate to run stats for a girls basketball team that featured future WNBA stars and won our state’s championship two years in a row. During the second Sunday in March I still get giddy when tournament brackets are announced and join in the wild ride that is tournament basketball. In time for March Madness, winning high school basketball coach and history teacher Marc Skelton of Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School in Bronx, New York has published his first book about lessons in basketball and life.
Like many urban public school districts, New York City was in need of a makeover. Large, impersonal schools of thousands of students did not have the amenities their suburban counterparts offered and often had a graduation rate hovering in the twenties. Students came from fractured families, lived on the streets, turned to drugs, and became parents by the time they completed school if at all; few attended college. The pendulum in cities has swung and opened small schools with dedicated staff that genuinely care about their students. The mammoth Monroe High School in the Bronx had a 25.9% graduation rate, so officials opened the doors to many smaller schools in hopes that students would have a better chance in life. One of these schools is Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom School, named for the 1960s civil rights leader. With a student body of 400 students and classes on block scheduling rather than a traditional day, students joined a community rather than a school and were entered into a hands on, student centered education that is usually only by society’s privileged classes.
Marc Skelton joined the staff of Fannie Lou Hamer In 2003 after serving two years in the Peace Corps in Russia and earning his masters in Russian Studies and secondary education from Columbia. Coming from a dysfunctional home in Derry, New Hampshire and having his high school basketball coach become a father figure to him, Skelton could understand the background of many of his students. With a small student body and having the same students for a two year rotation, Skelton formed a bond with many of his charges. Rather than teaching a traditional curricula, Skelton has turned to Russian literature as his guide and compared Tolstoy and Gogol to growing up in the Bronx. Although Skelton had not played basketball since graduating from high school in 1993, in 2006 he was asked if he could coach a varsity team that had gone 0-18 the year before. Out of reverence for his coach who had kept him afloat in high school and taught him to love the Boston Celtics, Skelton was up for the challenge of coaching and molding the future of countless young men.
Pounding the Rock details the Fannie Lou Hamer Panthers 2016-17 as Skelton returns a team that challenged for the New York City title the year before. His job as a coach is to teach his students how to play like a team while making sure that the boys stay eligible in the classroom. There are also the challenges of girl friends, assisting their mothers with chores and younger siblings at home, and wondering where their next meal will come from. Thankfully, this edition of Skelton’s team was devoid of many of these challenges that so often plague urban life. Preaching defense and we ball rather than me ball, Skelton knew that he had a good team as the season began. He also knew that basketball kept many of his team members off of the streets and in the classroom, providing them with an avenue to receive an education and possibly be the first in their families to attend college. While coaching, Skelton also taught his team about Moby Dick, Tolstoy, and 1980s Celtics and Knicks teams that relied on quality defense to be successful. The life lessons that he taught on the court would hopefully lead the boys to have successful lives once their playing days came to and end.
Upon publication of Pounding the Rock, Skelton had lead the 2017-18 edition of his team to the New York State title while writing this book, teaching, and leading a quality family life. The story of Fannie Lou Hamer High School is uplifting as it shows that there are educators who are still giving urban students a chance to succeed and achieve their own American dream. Basketball is only one avenue toward success and Skelton along with his assistant coaches are creating a legacy of successful young men both in the classroom and in life. Even if you do not enjoy basketball as much as I do, one can not help but revel at the urban renewal taking place at Fannie Lou Hamer High School in the Bronx lead by Skelton and his dedicated group of colleagues.
4 stars
Like many urban public school districts, New York City was in need of a makeover. Large, impersonal schools of thousands of students did not have the amenities their suburban counterparts offered and often had a graduation rate hovering in the twenties. Students came from fractured families, lived on the streets, turned to drugs, and became parents by the time they completed school if at all; few attended college. The pendulum in cities has swung and opened small schools with dedicated staff that genuinely care about their students. The mammoth Monroe High School in the Bronx had a 25.9% graduation rate, so officials opened the doors to many smaller schools in hopes that students would have a better chance in life. One of these schools is Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom School, named for the 1960s civil rights leader. With a student body of 400 students and classes on block scheduling rather than a traditional day, students joined a community rather than a school and were entered into a hands on, student centered education that is usually only by society’s privileged classes.
Marc Skelton joined the staff of Fannie Lou Hamer In 2003 after serving two years in the Peace Corps in Russia and earning his masters in Russian Studies and secondary education from Columbia. Coming from a dysfunctional home in Derry, New Hampshire and having his high school basketball coach become a father figure to him, Skelton could understand the background of many of his students. With a small student body and having the same students for a two year rotation, Skelton formed a bond with many of his charges. Rather than teaching a traditional curricula, Skelton has turned to Russian literature as his guide and compared Tolstoy and Gogol to growing up in the Bronx. Although Skelton had not played basketball since graduating from high school in 1993, in 2006 he was asked if he could coach a varsity team that had gone 0-18 the year before. Out of reverence for his coach who had kept him afloat in high school and taught him to love the Boston Celtics, Skelton was up for the challenge of coaching and molding the future of countless young men.
Pounding the Rock details the Fannie Lou Hamer Panthers 2016-17 as Skelton returns a team that challenged for the New York City title the year before. His job as a coach is to teach his students how to play like a team while making sure that the boys stay eligible in the classroom. There are also the challenges of girl friends, assisting their mothers with chores and younger siblings at home, and wondering where their next meal will come from. Thankfully, this edition of Skelton’s team was devoid of many of these challenges that so often plague urban life. Preaching defense and we ball rather than me ball, Skelton knew that he had a good team as the season began. He also knew that basketball kept many of his team members off of the streets and in the classroom, providing them with an avenue to receive an education and possibly be the first in their families to attend college. While coaching, Skelton also taught his team about Moby Dick, Tolstoy, and 1980s Celtics and Knicks teams that relied on quality defense to be successful. The life lessons that he taught on the court would hopefully lead the boys to have successful lives once their playing days came to and end.
Upon publication of Pounding the Rock, Skelton had lead the 2017-18 edition of his team to the New York State title while writing this book, teaching, and leading a quality family life. The story of Fannie Lou Hamer High School is uplifting as it shows that there are educators who are still giving urban students a chance to succeed and achieve their own American dream. Basketball is only one avenue toward success and Skelton along with his assistant coaches are creating a legacy of successful young men both in the classroom and in life. Even if you do not enjoy basketball as much as I do, one can not help but revel at the urban renewal taking place at Fannie Lou Hamer High School in the Bronx lead by Skelton and his dedicated group of colleagues.
4 stars
March 26, 2019
For a high school basketball coach, the job entails so much more than just the X's and O's of the game - it involves being very involved in the lives of the players as well. If the coach is also a teacher at the school, that adds another layer of mentorship. Marc Skelton describes all of these responsibilities - and his team's success on the court during the 2016-17 season - in this very good memoir. He shares his life story, many stories of his players, current and past, and also some thoughts on the New York City school system. Overall, the book is very good despite the jumping around from topic to topic - that doesn't overshadow the wonderful prose he shares. This is a book basketball junkies will want to read.
July 20, 2019
A few issues with the book.
First, to read something about a collection of people in which you have no connection or vested interest, the writing needs to have a little something extra to suck you in. I was not sucked in. It just didn't make me care about the outcome of the team or the athletes in any way.
Second, the author seemed to write this book purely to pat himself on the back and congratulate himself on a job well done.
Yes, yes, tell us again about how much the team sucked before you got there and how successful the school became after you took over as coach. How amazing your play-calling is. How successful you are in molding young minds and keeping inner-city youth off the streets. How much your ex-players love you. How you are such a renaissance man.
If a sportswriter does it, that's one thing. If you do it yourself, you just might have slight insecurity issues.
And finally, what stuck in my craw the most. (And this isn't the only author who has ever done this) The incessant need to try to impress people with vocabulary that is never ever used in every day speak. Or using completely bizarre, off-the-wall, obscure references that nobody will understand.
Again, it's just another example of trying to make people think how amazing you are.
I mean, its a work about a high school basketball team in the Bronx. And you make a reference to a book on Indian mythology?
That's just one. I don't have time to list probably a dozen others.
It reminded me very much of Dennis Miller's short lived stint on Monday Night Football. Getting canned after only a couple of years cuz nobody ever knew what the heck he was talking about.
This writing made about as much sense as the Marquis of Queensbury and Lao Tzu going to a bible retreat on the island of Boracay.
Did you get that reference?
No?
Well I did. And that's all that matters.
First, to read something about a collection of people in which you have no connection or vested interest, the writing needs to have a little something extra to suck you in. I was not sucked in. It just didn't make me care about the outcome of the team or the athletes in any way.
Second, the author seemed to write this book purely to pat himself on the back and congratulate himself on a job well done.
Yes, yes, tell us again about how much the team sucked before you got there and how successful the school became after you took over as coach. How amazing your play-calling is. How successful you are in molding young minds and keeping inner-city youth off the streets. How much your ex-players love you. How you are such a renaissance man.
If a sportswriter does it, that's one thing. If you do it yourself, you just might have slight insecurity issues.
And finally, what stuck in my craw the most. (And this isn't the only author who has ever done this) The incessant need to try to impress people with vocabulary that is never ever used in every day speak. Or using completely bizarre, off-the-wall, obscure references that nobody will understand.
Again, it's just another example of trying to make people think how amazing you are.
I mean, its a work about a high school basketball team in the Bronx. And you make a reference to a book on Indian mythology?
That's just one. I don't have time to list probably a dozen others.
It reminded me very much of Dennis Miller's short lived stint on Monday Night Football. Getting canned after only a couple of years cuz nobody ever knew what the heck he was talking about.
This writing made about as much sense as the Marquis of Queensbury and Lao Tzu going to a bible retreat on the island of Boracay.
Did you get that reference?
No?
Well I did. And that's all that matters.
May 17, 2023
I really wanted to like this but the writing was so hard to follow and all over the map with references. Absolutely did not suck me in.
June 22, 2023
Marc was my history teacher at Fannie Lou, so maybe I’m a little bias.
I think it’s fair to say that basketball at the Lou became an essential part of the DNA/culture of the school and it gave students a sense of pride. I know it did for me at least. I graduated in 2016 so I knew a lot of the people mentioned in the book and it brought back lots of memories. Attending the home games were the most exciting because of the energy that the team and student body brought, which made me grow to love the sport. Marc highlighted some key common experiences that mold the life of inner city kids and how vital it is for such students to have positive, impactful figures. High school is one the most transformative times…and from time to time I reflect on how lucky I was to attend a school that is a diamond in the rough and full of opportunity for those who want to take it. Panther pride for my alma mater 🙌🏼
I think it’s fair to say that basketball at the Lou became an essential part of the DNA/culture of the school and it gave students a sense of pride. I know it did for me at least. I graduated in 2016 so I knew a lot of the people mentioned in the book and it brought back lots of memories. Attending the home games were the most exciting because of the energy that the team and student body brought, which made me grow to love the sport. Marc highlighted some key common experiences that mold the life of inner city kids and how vital it is for such students to have positive, impactful figures. High school is one the most transformative times…and from time to time I reflect on how lucky I was to attend a school that is a diamond in the rough and full of opportunity for those who want to take it. Panther pride for my alma mater 🙌🏼
May 4, 2019
Pounding the Rock is a journey into the life of an extraordinary educator and coach.
Marc Skelton is one of many unsung heroes teaching and mentoring kids in the NYC public schools. His notable impact is tied to a dedication to and obsession with coaching winning basketball - the elixir for drawing underprivileged kids into school and changing the trajectory of their lives.
The story progresses through the 2016-2017 basketball season with meaningful detours into the world of Fannie Lou Hamer HS and the rich personal experiences that have shaped Coach Skelton. His passion for basketball, history, Russian literature, teamwork and humanity fuel his success and a thoroughly enjoyable book.
Pounding the Rock is a must read for basketball junkies that tells a coaches story in his own words. It belongs on the shelf with The Breaks of the Game, A Season on the Brink, and The Last Shot.
Marc Skelton is one of many unsung heroes teaching and mentoring kids in the NYC public schools. His notable impact is tied to a dedication to and obsession with coaching winning basketball - the elixir for drawing underprivileged kids into school and changing the trajectory of their lives.
The story progresses through the 2016-2017 basketball season with meaningful detours into the world of Fannie Lou Hamer HS and the rich personal experiences that have shaped Coach Skelton. His passion for basketball, history, Russian literature, teamwork and humanity fuel his success and a thoroughly enjoyable book.
Pounding the Rock is a must read for basketball junkies that tells a coaches story in his own words. It belongs on the shelf with The Breaks of the Game, A Season on the Brink, and The Last Shot.
February 27, 2020
This book was about basketball, but it was also about everything else that goes into coaching high school basketball in the Bronx. The coach relates his life experiences and those of his players to the beautiful game of basketball and how it all comes together over the course of one year. It’s a great read for basketball fans, New Yorkers, educators or anyone simply interested in learning about life through sports.
February 12, 2019
Although Skelton has succeeded in terms of wins and losses, that is hardly what this book is about. Pounding the Rock should serve as a call-to-action for lawmakers, a testament to quality teaching, and an inspiration to fellow coaches.
4.5 Stars
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2019/02/12/po...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
4.5 Stars
For my full review: https://paulspicks.blog/2019/02/12/po...
For all my reviews: https://paulspicks.blog
June 4, 2019
More than a basketball book, this book is about philosophy, poverty, opportunity, dedication and perseverance. It’s about Russian literature and Moby Dick. It’s about civil rights and dreams deferred, not to mention the tenacity required to change one’s life, or one’s world. And it’s about basketball, too.
March 30, 2022
As a teacher, basketball fan, and a lover of history, this book hit home on all fronts.
Mr. Skelton takes the reader through a year in the lives of his team but shares insights from his life that really made an impact on me, as a teacher, and will serve as a beacon in how I balance everything in the future.
Mr. Skelton takes the reader through a year in the lives of his team but shares insights from his life that really made an impact on me, as a teacher, and will serve as a beacon in how I balance everything in the future.
read-some
June 18, 2019High School inner city basketball coach telling his success story.
August 15, 2019
Enjoyable read about a NYC basketball coach and his team. Book grew on me as I was reading it.
February 19, 2020
I was expecting a Coach Carter-type book/story - it just wasn’t that.
November 13, 2020
This is a very moving and emotional book. I found this because of an inner-city basketball team with little resources has to battle racism, poverty, and just playing basketball to the best of their ability.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews