Hallowed Hardwood: Vintage Basketball Gyms of Kansas

By Brian D. Stucky

If you are someone who remembers with great nostalgia the old crackerbox basketball gyms of Kansas--you know, those tiny courts with overhanging balconies, the wall for out-of-bounds--if you are the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0974568414
• ISBN13: 9780974568416
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Emma Creek Publishing
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

WOW!!!

As a Kansan, I read with great interest and joy Brian D. Stucky's look at vintage Kansas basketball courts and the exciting stories that went along with them. Hollowed Hardwood is a must ready for any Kansas sports and/or history enthusiast...make that any Kansan period.

A Good Cry

If you've ever cried at a high school basketball game... if you have ever felt like crying at a basketball game of any type... you will enjoy this book! Brian Stucky sensitively describes--in compelling narratives and equally compelling black and white photographs--quite a number of historic gymnasiums in the author's home state of Kansas--a state where the practice of lofting a round rubber ball into an iron hoop has.. over the years... been elevated to (or at least near) the status of a religion.Memories of unforgetable games, unforgetable players, unforgetable (and, occasionally, surprisingly primative) facilities pour onto these pages from the host of eye witnesses the author has managed to enlist in this loving litany.... an homage to a sport he obviously understands from the inside out. The book stands as a testament to the emotional... and, yes, somewhat spiritual... investment many players, coaches, refs, and just plain fans feel for the sport. Brian Stucky has... in these few pages... not only done homage to a truly American past time, but has--in the process--told us something about ourselves, as well.Highly recommended!

captivating!

I you're a history or basketball nut you're gonna love this. I was intrigued by the photos of historic gyms in Kansas, but I was pleasantly surprised by how I was totally captivated by the great stories about the local and national heros that played in them. What a thrill!

You will love it

This is such an interesting book of 51 different stories....you'll just love it. The author visits with people all over the state of Kansas and writes a great story along with each picture. See Jackie Stiles on the front cover, shooting the ball. The photography is excellent! This makes a wonderful Christmas or birthday gift!

Hallowed Hardwood:Vintage Basketball Gyms of Kansas

Anyone who loves nostalgia and basketball should get this book. When I read "He knew Naismith" about John McClendon and "America's Coach" about Dean Smith, I just got chills. To think, the author was able to meet and photograph numerous basketball greats, and it all took place in Kansas!! There are stories about regular small-town people, too, who, for their moment of time, became a hero for their school and town. Those are the ones many of us can relate to, and in our own minds, relive our own hero-moments.It is hard to stop reading because the stories are so good, but with the 2-page-per-story format, you can read and savor a little, put it down and come back to it again later. Concerning the photography, it seems in many of the pictures that the author was able to capture the emotion of the subject and put it right there on paper for you to feel. If you are looking for a coffee table book, a gift, or just something different to read, this is worth a try.