Blue Devil Nation

Get to know Jim Sumner

Mark Watson — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 09:33:00 -0400

I have had the pleasure of talking sports with Jim Sumner on several occasions. In fact, his seats are just in front of mine for Duke Football. You may recall an article he did for the Blue Devil Nation about Duke Football or you may know him from his work with the Blue Devil Weekly. If you visit various message boards, you are sure to find him correcting your memory or stating some little known facts. He drops by the BDN Premium Message Board on occasion, so if you are a member, go ahead and pick his brain. His most recent book is Tales from the Hardwood and if you haven't checked it out you should. There is a link in the menu which offers the lowest prices. In this News and Observer article, you will find out much more about Jim Sumner. It's worth a read.

Book Review - Wallace Wade, Championship Years at Bama & Duke

Mark Watson — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 20:38:00 -0400

I love reading about the history of Duke Athletics. For that reason, I had a hard time putting down Wallace Wade, Championship Years at Alabama and Duke.

Many of you know that I'm somewhat of a super fan. In fact, I remember Wade attending Duke football practices for years.

Even then, he had an aura of confidence about him and he should have. Wade led Duke to two Rose Bowls and made the Blue Devils a powerhouse. Yep! Back in the day, Duke could be found in the top ten year in and year out.

What I didn't know was the depth of the man. This is where author, Lewis Bowling filled in the gaps for a wonderful trip into the past. Bowling was quite meticulous with the details about old Durham, Duke as it was then, and well, everything was well researched.

The book has about 350 pages and is well illustrated. I admit I skipped to when Wallace Wade took over the Blue Devils. Still, it makes one want to go back and get the rest of the story.

Wade was an amazing man and it's good that Bowling brought his exploits to life. As a Duke fan, I found myself proud of Duke's illustrious football past.

Be it tales on Ace Parker or George McAffee, no legend is left out. Each season is well documented, from the Rose Bowl in Durham to when Duke was unbeaten, unscored upon with no ties in 1938. So, if you want a read that makes you feel like you have been transported back in time to witness the glory days of Duke (and Alabama) football, this book is for you. I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list, so that you may learn of an amazing man and a time we should never forget. There are far too many interesting details in Wallace Wade, Championship Years at Alabama and Duke for you not to check it out.

For more reviews or to purchase the book, please go to the Amazon link on the menu to your left. You help support the Blue Devil Nation when you purchase books through the links. I have no problem if you go directly to Carolina Academic Press which offers a 10% discount.

Al Featherston weighs in on Duke Football, Basketball, Olympics

Mark Watson — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 19:05:00 -0400

The following is part II of an interview I had with sportswriter/author Al Featherston -

- We've discussed a baseball book ...

I am a big fan of what-if fiction or alternative history. Bill Vecck talked about buying the Phillies in 1943 with the idea of stocking them with negro (as called then) players. It would have integrated baseball four ...

Al Featherston talks up his new book and Duke Basketball

Mark Watson — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:07:00 -0400

I met Al Featherston about ten years ago. Since that time we try to get together for lunch a couple of times a month, where we discuss Duke Athletics, history and the sports world in general.

The following is an interview I had with Al earlier this week over some Mexican food. It is part one of two, so please check back. I have recently signed on with Amazon, so purchasing Duke reads through the site helps the Blue Devil Nation free section stay alive.

You can look forward to chats with other authors in the future. The BDN will start to review a lot of books and will get inside the heads of the people who pen them.

When reading the interview, keep in mind that I joke with Al a lot which doesn't always translate well on the web.

A section called, "Book Reviews and Author Interviews," is now listed in the menu. Thanks for baring with me, as I have made a few changes. The changes will continue over the next month.

- How about telling the Duke fans and the readers of the Blue Devil Nation about your background ...

I was born in the NC School of Math and Science, which at the time was Watts (Durham) Hospital.    I graduated from high school in Durham and started Duke in 1967. I didn't graduate until 74 ... took me seven years, I was a little slow. I went to work right after that with the Durham Herald Sun and was with the paper for 31 years.

- Tell us about Duke basketball when you were in school ...

My timing was awful, because I came in just when the Bubas era was winding down. I was in high school during the great 63-64 teams with (Art) Heymen and (Jeff) Mullins. And then there was 66 with the (Bob) Verga teams. I came in the same class with Dick DeVenzio, Randy Denton and Rick Katherman, which was actually supposed to be Duke's first great recruiting class. They had some success ... they were good players, but compared to what had come in the sixties, it was a disappointing time.

- So, you were part of the Bucky Waters era. That was an interesting time. I recall some anti-Bucky Waters signs, etc. Can you elaborate on that?

Bucky was a great recruiter, but one of his problems was that he was kind of tough on kids. A lot of players left and didn't want to play for him. I think it is fair to say he was the Matt Doherty of his era.

- Do you think it had to do with the culture of the times? I mean, it was just after the sixties.

Right. It was a heavy drug period ... an anti establishment, anti war ... In fact, one basketball game was interrupted by an anti-war skit. It was a rough period ... Bucky had it hard. He was a great guy in a lot of ways, but it just didn't work for him.

- Give me your take on the Cameron Crazies like back then?

They were less celebrated than they are today, but they were loud and rowdy. They were a little less disciplined ... sometimes to obscene. I interviewed Gary Melchionni about a game where they beat Maryland in 1973. It was a huge upset. He was talking about how the crowd changed from hissing about and holding up "Fire Bucky" signs, to flipping them over to "Go Duke," and getting behind the team in the course of a single game. They (Crazies) could be good, but were very undisciplined in those days.

- So, you are working on a new book ... how about telling readers about that ... what will it be about?

Well, it's a book called "Game Of My Life - Duke Basketball." I'm interviewing about two dozen former Duke players, all the way back from Dick Groat to Shelden Williams. They talk of their most memorable game ... they use that game as a hook to talk about their career with Duke Basketball.

- Can you give us a brief idea ... can you pick one player out and give us an idea of what might be in the book?

Well, you'll have to buy it to get the good details (smiling). There are some good stories. One is Jeff Mullins which is really good. He talks of his early days in Lexington, Kentucky and how he made his high school team which is a real funny story. He goes into what he didn't go to Kentucky. Of course he turned Adolph Rupp down and came to Duke to play for Vic Bubas. It's all interesting stuff, from both the old and new guys.

- When does the book come out?

It'll be out this Fall. Again, it's called "Duke Basketball - The Game Of My Life." It's listed on Amazon.

I'll provide a link for the book. I recently signed up with Amazon. It was the thing to do, since I enjoy talking with Duke Basketball authors. I hope to have an interview with John Roth, who did the Encyclopedia Of Duke Basketball and other authors of books on Duke in the future.

Buy Al's New Book Here By purchasing through this link, you help support the free section of the Blue Devil Nation. Interview continued -

- You have authored some other books ... which one is your favorite?

It not a sports book - I'd have to say  "The Battle for Mortain.   It's an account of a key battle that was fought in Normandy, mostly by North Carolina and Tennessee National Guard in August of 1944. They blocked a German counterattack in a very dramatic battle where they were surrounded for six days on the hill, yet held their position. A very interesting battle that was overlooked.

I also did a book called  "Tobacco Road" which is a history of the rivals in North Carolina. I wrote 166,000 words for what was suppose to be a 90,000 word book. I cried for what got left out.

- So, you're finally admitting you are a little long winded?

Ahhh! Yes.

- Of course you writ for Duke Basketball Report and the Basketball Times ... who else are you doing work for these days?

I do a lot of work for Dave Glenn with the ACC Journal (Poop Sheet), an occasional piece for John Roth and the Blue Devil Weekly. I do some research for Sports Illustrated and Time Magazine, but you won't see me in the credits.

- So, you are open to new opportunities?

All I have is my ability to write and I do have to charge for that.   Oh! I cover a lot of baseball games too. I do some Triple A work for out of town newspapers.

Check back for part II, where I ask Al his take on Coach K and Team USA, the coming football and basketball season and more.

Should you buy Al's new book through this site, I will offer a 20.00 discount on the yearly price of the Blue Devil Nation Premium Newsletter. There you will find the latest on recruiting and all things Duke! Thanks for your support.

Al Featherston weighs in on the season

Mark Watson — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:31:00 -0400

Here is Al's take on the season. Al is one of the most knowledgeable Duke aficionados around and is balanced and fair in his assessments.

More from Featherston -

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Tobacco Road: Duke, Carolina, N.C. State, Wake Forest, and the History of the Most Intense Backyard Rivalries in Sports by Alwyn Featherston (Paperback - Feb 1, 2006)

Buy new:  $13.22

Christmas Book Suggestions, Duke Basketball Style

Mark Watson — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 00:11:00 -0500

There are several books out on the market, but a Duke Basketball fan is sure to want one of these books in their Christmas stocking. We have included order information on each, and recommend them all, not because I know the authors, but because they know their subject matter.

Encyclopedia of Duke Basketball by John Roth

You get a lot of bang for the buck in this concise reference guide on Duke Basketball. It is information overload in the best sense. John Roth has a winner here. Click here for an excellent review on this book. I am enamored with this book and think it should be in every Duke fanatics library.

Tales From The Blue Devil Hardwood by Jim Sumner

In this college basketball series, Jim Sumner recounts the history of Duke Basketball in a variety of informative snippets. I am currently reading his book on Carolina League (Minor League) History.

100 Seasons of Duke Basketball by Bill Brill

Bill is the Grandfather of Duke Basketball, having written the first book on the Blue Devils history.

Tobacco Road by Al Featherston

Al visits the Big Four past, bringing back the glorious memories of the original ACC, as well as more recent memories.

Another Book For Your Christmas List

Mark Watson — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 16:02:00 -0500

John Roth has a reference book out called the Encyclopedia of Duke Basketball. My friends at DBR have a most excellent review here. I plan on talking to John about his many responsibilities with Duke Basketball ASAP, but this review is better than anything I could have done, so I will attempt to give you some insight into the author himself in the coming weeks. There is a link to purchase the book in the review, so I will not list one here.

I will be reviewing Jim Sumners book next week and will give my suggestions as to what books a Duke fan must have in their collection just in time for the Christmas season.