We will rise : a true story of tragedy and resurrection in the American heartland

The inspiring true story of the tragic loss and triumphant resurrection of a basketball team and its coach at the heart of a small Indiana town. By 1977 the University of Evansville’s Purple Aces basketball team had won five small-college national championships. With a charismatic young coach and a freshman phenom, this small Indiana city hoped to see its team shine in the national spotlight. Then, on a foggy night, after just four games, the plane carrying the team and its coach crashed after takeoff, killing everyone on board. The tragedy seemed insurmountable, a devastating blow to the identity of a fading factory town. But, with the support of a city in mourning, ambitious new coach Dick Walters promised to rebuild the cherished institution. Assembling a team of castoffs, walk-ons, and overachievers, Walters restored the legacy of the team and its fans. Against all odds, his young men made history. A tribute to those who were lost, and to those who carried on, We Will Rise is the rich and powerful story of an underdog team and its fans and the spirit of a resilient community. The Inspiring True Story Of The Remarkable Rise, Tragic Fall, And Triumphant Rebirth Of A Basketball Team That Became The Heart And Soul Of A Small Indiana Town. In 1977, The University Of Evansville Purple Aces Men's Basketball Team Had Won Five Small-college National Titles And Were Moving Up To Ncaa Division I Just Before College Hoops Exploded In National Popularity. With Charismatic Coach Bobby Watson And Freshman Phenom Mike Duff, The Hometown Heroes From This Small Indiana City Were On Their Way Up. Then, On A December Night, Just Four Games Into The Season, The Plane Carrying The Squad Crashed After Lift-off, Killing Everyone On Board. The Tragedy Seemed Insurmountable, Threatening The Heart Of The Fading Factory Town's Civic Identity. But, With The Help Of Surviving Family And Friends, And Boosters And Fans, Ambitious New Coach Dick Walters Was Determined To Save Evansville's Legacy. Assembling A Ragtag Team Of Misfits, Walk-ons, And So-called Underachievers, Walters Embarked On A Quixotic Quest To Give The Town A Fresh Rallying Point Of Pride And Hope. Against All Odds, His Young Men Would Make History. A Tribute To Those Who Were Lost, And To Those Who Carried On, We Will Rise Is The Rich And Emotional Never-before-told True Story Of A Championship Team, Its Hard-won Redemption, And The Spirit And Resilience Of Community. "By 1977 the University of Evansville's Purple Aces basketball team had won five small-college national championships. With a charismatic young coach and a freshman phenom, this small Indiana city hoped to see its team shine in the national spotlight. Then, on a foggy night, after just four games, the plane carrying the team and its coach crashed after takeoff, killing everyone on board. The tragedy seemed insurmountable, a devastating blow to the identity of a fading factory town. But, with the support of a city in mourning, ambitious new coach Dick Walters promised to rebuild the cherished institution. Assembling a team of castoffs, walk-ons, and overachievers, Walters restored the legacy of the team and its fans. Against all odds, his young men made history. A tribute to those who were lost, and to those who carried on, We Will Rise is the rich and powerful story of an underdog team and its fans and the spirit of a resilient community"--Jacket