Download PDF A Season in Purgatory Villanova and Life in College Football Lower Class Tony Moss 9780803259591 Books

Product details Paperback 333 pages Publisher Bison Books (October 1, 2007) Language English ISBN-10 080325959X

A Season in Purgatory Villanova and Life in College Football Lower Class Tony Moss 9780803259591 Books Reviews

• A Season in Purgatory provides a behind the scenes look into Villanova football. Although it chronicles the 2005 season, which was a bit disappointing, the insight is very enjoyable. Sometimes the details provided are too much of a look behind the curtain and it exposes some of the human shortcomings of players and coaches alike. For those who have played football, you'll be nodding your head at all the on and off field revelations. For bystanders, it offers a look at the normally not seen situations that impact a season and a program. Politics, personalities and finances all take a major part in the impact on the football program, and sometimes too much of a part.
  The book examines some of the past history of the Villanova football program, but only on a superficial level and in a non-linear disjointed manner. It would have been nice to have had an introduction that detailed some of the storied history of the program and the national exposure that Villanova had. It does do a nice job of describibg the question of whether to move up in division play to get back to playing nationally ranked teams. Although that decision was negated, the discussions could be on the table again. And in light of winning the 2009 National Championship, an addendum to future printings would be a plus.
  Overall, this is a fun read for any Wildcats fans, or those wanting a peek inside college athletic programs.
• This was a good read if you follow FCS (formally division 1-AA) college football. It follows a difficult year for Villanova football (who won the FCS championship in 2011), which plays at the not-so-glamerous FCS level. With no big money games, about 4,000 fans per game and little media attention, Villanova struggled to make football as well known as their basketball program. Yet every Saturday in the fall, 60 young men suit up and play their hearts out but would not get the accolades or fame than those who play in the high-flying BCS College football-for-money level. A good picture of football for the love of it and not for money, TV deals and scandals that befall many a BCS program. A real college program with real struggles and the sports politics that coaches at the level deal with.
• I've been a fan of Villanova football since my father began taking me to the games around the age of seven years old, which happened to be right around the same time the school brought the program back. The years I spent watching Andy Talley create a legitimate 1-AA powerhouse from scratch were literally priceless. I've long resented the fact that the football team never gets any local media coverage. Accessing any information you don't see with your own two eyes on the field on Saturday is basically non-existent. This excellent novel changed all of that for me. Great Read!
• It was an interesting book about the Villanova football program that has had thoughts of going up to the big time from 1-AA. Moss does a good job of capturing Andy Tally's program as well as some of the recruits and why they chose Villanova.
• Very accurate portrayal of life in the FCS but is slanted to the coaches perspective. I do wish there was more input from the players.
• This was an interesting book and it gives the reader a new look inside of college football from the lower division 1-AA level. The book was a little bit of a hard read. It got you going and excited about football and then it had some low points that made you want to put it down. The book overall was good and it was fun to see what an all access account of a college football team is like. It was a good behind the scenes look for what goes on during the 2005 college football season in the division I-AA level. This is a good book for the college football fan and anyone who want to know what goes on behind closed doors.
• Tony Moss' account of NCAA I AA Football is wonderful book. Sports books aren't always the best in terms of writing but this was an exception. I found the book to not only tell a good story but also entertain the reader by the writing style. The examination focuses on Villanova but it really is much more than a story about one year in the life of a college football team. Readers who love football will find Tony's book to be not only entertaining but also a fairly honest picture. Why do schools consider moving up to Division I? What financial pressures exist playing at the I AA level? What challenges to I AA teams have relative to recruiting, gaining media exposure etc. are all covered. Very good book for fans of college football.
• Using a perfect blend of storytelling weaved in with the history of Villanova's football team, Tony Moss' readers become a fly on the wall throughout the Wildcats' 2005 season.
  
  Moss does an excellent job of tracing Villanova's history as it attempted -- and failed -- to join the ranks of 1-AA, while also showcasing a bunch of student athletes who work just as hard as larger, more popular programs.
  
  Unlike other books, Moss is able to blend history with present events with ease, presenting a story with excellent flow to it.
  
  Moss also does a great job of getting the reader inside the locker room, making them feel as if they were with Villanova throughout the season.