A Saint in the City: Stories of Champions from the Barrio
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Book Overview
Real Teens. Real Struggles. Real Triumphs.
What happens when a clinically depressed teacher-fresh out of a psychiatric hospital, on anti-depressants, broke, and directionless-walks into one of the toughest schools in Southern California?
He finds a group of forgotten kids...and they find a reason to believe.
A Saint in the City is the true story of award-winning teacher and wrestling coach Scott Glabb, who arrived in Santa Ana with no job prospects and no confidence-only to discover a generation of teenagers battling their own uphill fights: poverty, gang pressures, immigration challenges, cultural expectations, and the quiet belief that their futures were already decided.
These young men and women lived in overcrowded apartments, worked to support large families, and faced daily reminders that their dreams didn't matter. Many were expected to drop out, get caught up in gang life, or disappear into the system. But in a rundown wrestling room, they found something different-someone who refused to give up on them.
Through discipline, grit, and relentless hope, Coach Glabb and his wrestlers took on obstacles far bigger than their opponents on the mat. Their victories weren't just athletic-they were personal, academic, emotional, and generational.
In this powerful collection of real stories, you will:
Step inside life in the inner city through the eyes of the teens who live it.
Learn the surprising principles behind transforming discouraged youth into confident leaders.
Discover how adversity, mentorship, and belief can change the course of a life.
Be inspired to become a more transformational coach, teacher, parent, or mentor.
A Saint in the City reminds us that the greatest victories never come easy-and that sometimes all it takes to change a life is one person who believes it's possible.
If you're looking for a raw, uplifting, and unforgettable story about resilience, coaching, and the power of second chances, this book will stay with you long after the last page.
Reviews
"It's a relentless love for humanity that empowers Scott to give kids what he lacked as a child over and over and over again, sometimes to the detriment of his own health and safety. Scott Glabb's teachings need to be shared with the same vigilance he's dedicated his life to living them."
-Jay Mohr, Actor, Comedian, Wrestling Coach
"Glabb gave me confidence. He got my head straight. In the memoir, A Saint in the City, one reads about kids most coaches would give up on, that I would give up on, but Glabb never gave up on them."
-Gilbert "El Ni o" Melendez, Mixed Martial Arts Professional Fighter with UFC (Ultimate Fighting Champion) and ESPN Analyst (Santa Ana High School Wrestling Alumni)
This book has curriculum available upon request and meets all the ELA Common Core State Standards, and has been approved by the California Dept of Ed. for social content.
See the Author page for contact information.
Customer Reviews
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