Champions of Faith Catholic Sports Heroes Tell Their Stories

by O'Toole, Thomas A.

• ISBN13: 9781580510912
• ISBN10: 1580510914
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-01
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

Are there heroes anymore? What role, if any, does faith play in the life of high-paid, famous athletes? Through the words of a wide range of popular athletes, Champions of Faith reveals that heroes still exist and that for many of those who take their role-model status seriously, faith plays a major part in their success and their witness. Over a period of two years, author Tom OToole, a devout Catholic and seasoned journalist, interviewed Catholic sports heroes such as Sammy Sosa, Lou Holtz, Mike Ditka, Dave Wannstedt, Suzie McConnell-Serio, Lenny Wilkens, Rudy Ruettiger, Alberto Salazar, Bobby Allison, Danny Abramowicz, Tara Lipinski, Ray Meyers, Fr. John Smyth, and Cammi Granto.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	viii
Foreword	ix
Introduction	xi
Sacred Elbows: The Forward Faith of Father John Smyth	1	(18)
Learning from Lenny: The Radical Peace of Coach Wilkens	19	(14)
Daniel ``Rudy'' Ruettiger: The Faithful Dreamer Who Would Not Quit	33	(18)
The Mom Who Was Point Guard: The Story of Suzie-McConnell-Serio	51	(12)
Bobby Allison's Race for Salvation	63	(12)
Danny Abramowicz: The Prophet Finds a Friend	75	(16)
Mike Ditka: An ``Iron Mike'' with a Golden Heart	91	(18)
Cammi and the Granatos: A Family that Plays Together and Prays Together	109	(16)
Coach Ray Meyer: Laughing with a Legend	125	(14)
Sammy Sosa: The Happy Slammer	139	(24)
Dave Wannstedt: The Coach Who Trusts	163	(18)
Therese of Lisieux and Tara Lipinski: The Little Flower and Her Little Friend	181	(14)
Alberto Salazar: The Marathon Man and His Inspiring Retirement	195	(14)
Lou Holtz: The Skinny Winner Who Knows Our Souls	209