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Jack “the Shot” Foley-A Legend for All Time: With Togo Palazzi and Central Mass. Basketball
Mark “Pathfinder” Epstein shares the inside story of college basketball icon Jack “The Shot” Foley and remembers a cherished time in Central Massachusetts sports history.
Epstein’s story charts the inspiring life and career of Jack Foley, from Foley’s early years as a budding nature lover to his legendary high school and college basketball days and his later years as an educator. Epstein also celebrates the old-fashioned sports traditions that captivated Foley’s hometown area of Central Massachusetts, and came to represent a golden age of college basketball. As he revisits this iconic era, Epstein shines a light on other basketball luminaries, like Togo Palazzi, as well as the revered institutions, including the College of the Holy Cross, that helped shape these sports heroes.
“For anyone who relishes gaining more knowledge and insight into the sport of basketball and the vibrant history of the City of Worcester, this will be a must-read for you.” —Jeff Twiss, vice president of media services, Boston Celtics.
Mark "Pathfinder" Epstein grew up in the "golden-era" of playground basketball in the "hot-bed" region known as Central Massachusetts. Mark was the ultimate basketball "junkie". He has had many roles in his favorite sport throughout his lifetime. He is now retired from a career in education and resides with his wife Barbara in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
This is the author's second book, the first one,
“THEY CALL ME PATHFINDER, Education-Basketball-Equality” has received two awards.
Pathfinder is also a nationally recognized motivational speaker and can be reached at mepathfinder1@gmail.com.
Praise for Jack “the Shot” Foley- A Legend for All With Togo Palazzi and Central Mass. Basketball
“Mark Epstein offers us a look at Central Massachusetts during its basketball hotbed days. His observations, research, and interviews were extremely interesting to anyone remotely familiar with basketball. The spotlight could not have shone on a more deserving pair than Holy Cross All-American Jack ‘the Shot’ Foley and former Boston Celtic and Syracuse National Togo Palazzi.” —Tom Sanders, Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend
“If you want to read a great human-interest story about basketball, this book is a must read. What started off in the late 1950s as a local Worcester story in an area where basketball got its roots soon became a national story for all when Jack ‘the Shot’ Foley became an American phenom.” —Jim Calhoun, Hall of Fame University of Connecticut basketball coach.
“The history of Worcester basketball, presented superbly by author Mark Epstein, grabs your immediate attention with the many men and women who proudly comprised the magical history of the sport of basketball in the city and in surrounding communities. Using the brilliant careers of Jack Foley and Togo Palazzi as the spotlight, Epstein paints a clear picture to follow along with and to escape back in time to where traditions ran deep and strong. For anyone who relishes gaining more knowledge and insight into the sport of basketball and the vibrant history of the city of Worcester, this will be a must read.” —Jeff Twiss, vice president of media services, Boston Celtics
“This book is long overdue. People should never forget the true greatness of Jack ‘the Shot’ Foley. the Shot should never be forgotten for the many incredible thrills he gave to the legion of basketball fans in Central Massachusetts while playing for Assumption Prep and at Holy Cross.
Epstein’s story charts the inspiring life and career of Jack Foley, from Foley’s early years as a budding nature lover to his legendary high school and college basketball days and his later years as an educator. Epstein also celebrates the old-fashioned sports traditions that captivated Foley’s hometown area of Central Massachusetts, and came to represent a golden age of college basketball. As he revisits this iconic era, Epstein shines a light on other basketball luminaries, like Togo Palazzi, as well as the revered institutions, including the College of the Holy Cross, that helped shape these sports heroes.
“For anyone who relishes gaining more knowledge and insight into the sport of basketball and the vibrant history of the City of Worcester, this will be a must-read for you.” —Jeff Twiss, vice president of media services, Boston Celtics.
Mark "Pathfinder" Epstein grew up in the "golden-era" of playground basketball in the "hot-bed" region known as Central Massachusetts. Mark was the ultimate basketball "junkie". He has had many roles in his favorite sport throughout his lifetime. He is now retired from a career in education and resides with his wife Barbara in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
This is the author's second book, the first one,
“THEY CALL ME PATHFINDER, Education-Basketball-Equality” has received two awards.
Pathfinder is also a nationally recognized motivational speaker and can be reached at mepathfinder1@gmail.com.
Praise for Jack “the Shot” Foley- A Legend for All With Togo Palazzi and Central Mass. Basketball
“Mark Epstein offers us a look at Central Massachusetts during its basketball hotbed days. His observations, research, and interviews were extremely interesting to anyone remotely familiar with basketball. The spotlight could not have shone on a more deserving pair than Holy Cross All-American Jack ‘the Shot’ Foley and former Boston Celtic and Syracuse National Togo Palazzi.” —Tom Sanders, Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend
“If you want to read a great human-interest story about basketball, this book is a must read. What started off in the late 1950s as a local Worcester story in an area where basketball got its roots soon became a national story for all when Jack ‘the Shot’ Foley became an American phenom.” —Jim Calhoun, Hall of Fame University of Connecticut basketball coach.
“The history of Worcester basketball, presented superbly by author Mark Epstein, grabs your immediate attention with the many men and women who proudly comprised the magical history of the sport of basketball in the city and in surrounding communities. Using the brilliant careers of Jack Foley and Togo Palazzi as the spotlight, Epstein paints a clear picture to follow along with and to escape back in time to where traditions ran deep and strong. For anyone who relishes gaining more knowledge and insight into the sport of basketball and the vibrant history of the city of Worcester, this will be a must read.” —Jeff Twiss, vice president of media services, Boston Celtics
“This book is long overdue. People should never forget the true greatness of Jack ‘the Shot’ Foley. the Shot should never be forgotten for the many incredible thrills he gave to the legion of basketball fans in Central Massachusetts while playing for Assumption Prep and at Holy Cross.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2022
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Mark Epstein
62 books738 followersMark Epstein, M.D. is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City and the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychotherapy. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University and is currently Clinical Assistant Professor in the Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis at New York University.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 19, 2022
Interesting Story of a Gifted Basketball Star and Unique Individual
I attended many of the basketball games described by the author Mark Epstein in his fine tribute to the top high school basketball player from the Worcester area, Jack Foley. Jack 'the shot' had an unusual shooting style and was a prolific scorer. I would have loved to see Foley play in the three-point era of today.
While I was somewhat aware of Jack's post basketball life, Epstein's book provided a nice, respectful summary of the life of a unique, special man.
Good job " Pathfinder"!
I attended many of the basketball games described by the author Mark Epstein in his fine tribute to the top high school basketball player from the Worcester area, Jack Foley. Jack 'the shot' had an unusual shooting style and was a prolific scorer. I would have loved to see Foley play in the three-point era of today.
While I was somewhat aware of Jack's post basketball life, Epstein's book provided a nice, respectful summary of the life of a unique, special man.
Good job " Pathfinder"!
February 1, 2023
Great book for basketball and nonbasketball fans alike!
January 8, 2023
One of the most unique sports stories ever told!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews