Publisher's Synopsis
Mark "Pathfinder" Epstein shares the inside story of college basketball icon Jack "The Shot" Foley and remembers a cherished time in Central Massachusetts sports history.
Epstein's story charts the inspiring life and career of Jack Foley, from Foley's early years as a budding nature lover to his legendary high school and college basketball days and his later years as an educator. Epstein also celebrates the old-fashioned sports traditions that captivated Foley's hometown area of Central Massachusetts, and came to represent a golden age of college basketball. As he revisits this iconic era, Epstein shines a light on other basketball luminaries, like Togo Palazzi, as well as the revered institutions, including the College of the Holy Cross, that helped shape these sports heroes. "For anyone who relishes gaining more knowledge and insight into the sport of basketball and the vibrant history of the City of Worcester, this will be a must-read for you." -Jeff Twiss, vice president of media services, Boston Celtics. Mark "Pathfinder" Epstein grew up in the "golden-era" of playground basketball in the "hot-bed" region known as Central Massachusetts. Mark was the ultimate basketball "junkie". He has had many roles in his favorite sport throughout his lifetime. He is now retired from a career in education and resides with his wife Barbara in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. This is the author's second book, the first one,"THEY CALL ME PATHFINDER, Education-Basketball-Equality" has received two awards.
Pathfinder is also a nationally recognized motivational speaker and can be reached at [email protected]. Praise for Jack "the Shot" Foley- A Legend for All Time: With Togo Palazzi and Central Mass. Basketball
"Mark Epstein offers us a look at Central Massachusetts during its basketball hotbed days. His observations, research, and interviews were extremely interesting to anyone remotely familiar with basketball. The spotlight could not have shone on a more deserving pair than Holy Cross All-American Jack 'the Shot' Foley and former Boston Celtic and Syracuse National Togo Palazzi." -Tom Sanders, Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend
"If you want to read a great human-interest story about basketball, this book is a must read. What started off in the late 1950s as a local Worcester story in an area where basketball got its roots soon became a national story for all when Jack 'the Shot' Foley became an American phenom." -Jim Calhoun, Hall of Fame University of Connecticut basketball coach. "The history of Worcester basketball, presented superbly by author Mark Epstein, grabs your immediate attention with the many men and women who proudly comprised the magical history of the sport of basketball in the city and in surrounding communities. Using the brilliant careers of Jack Foley and Togo Palazzi as the spotlight, Epstein paints a clear picture to follow along with and to escape back in time to where traditions ran deep and strong. For anyone who relishes gaining more knowledge and insight into the sport of basketball and the vibrant history of the city of Worcester, this will be a must read." -Jeff Twiss, vice president of media services, Boston Celtics "This book is long overdue. People should never forget the true greatness of Jack 'the Shot' Foley. the Shot should never be forgotten for the many incredible thrills he gave to the legion of basketball fans in Central Massachusetts while playing for Assumption Prep and at Holy Cross. Jack's greatness extended far beyond the borders of Worcester. Jack 'the Shot' was an American phenom. I cannot wait for this book to come out!" -Bobby Foley, all-time winningest high school basketball coach in New England history, Holy Cross Hall of Famer, and former teammate of Jack "the Shot" Foley.
