Rating: 
Summary: Go Ugly Eagles!
Review: I grew up with De La Salle sports. Never mentioned is how DLS gained their winning streaks by illegally recruiting (as a private school technically they weren't bound by the same rules as governed all of the public schools that were in the same league as DLS, who were unable to recruit and seduce with money) such talents as Amani Toomer from Berkeley, Aaron Taylor, D.J. Williams, and many others. The winning streak doesn't seem so impressive when you can draw students from all over the state and your competition is bound to draw from within their own district for the majority of your games. Probably never mentioned is how the majority of DLS's games were played on their home field, until recently when they showed how weak Southern California high school sports are. At an all-boys Catholic school, with private funding, lots of transgressions can be forgiven. Long live the Papal Indulgences.
But if it serves to increase Concord's power then I guess it's ok, even though the city planners are garbage compared to Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill, who are much wiser.
Turn YV Road into a freeway!! Widen highway 4!! Hint: the object of traffic is to FLOW; adding speed bumps and traffic signals on every single street is not going to endear local politicians to voters, nor will it lead to safer driving among further frustrated and delayed drivers. We're the largest city in Contra Costa County and we have no freeway access!
Impeach Schwarzenegger! Impeach Bush and end the cancerous family dynasty! To see neo-conservatives' (the extreme "right") twisted agenda visit:
http://newamericancentury.org
Vote for a true people's champion, Senator BARBARA BOXER!! Democrats will prevail over the church-controlled authoritarian state. End legislation of the bible and government interference in your private moral lives!
Rating: 
Summary: When the Human Spirit Stands Tall
Review: I have read some poor reviews regarding the book. I could not disagree with them more. As an educator and a high school football coach I found the story about the DeLa Salle football program to be one that was well worth telling. For those that see the world from rose colored glasses maybe you should only read books that do not tell things how they really are. Anyone who did not like this book is obviously an individual who has not spent anytime in athletics or coaching athletes. So to those who who do not appreciate athletics I suggest you do not rate a book that you have no backgroud to judge. This book is a great choice for anyone who has ever been an athlete ot coached them. My compliments to the author and the DeLa Salle football team and staff. I thank you for sharing your experience with me.
Rating:
Summary: This book "Stands Tall" on it's own.
Review: I have read some poor reviews regarding the book. I could not disagree with them more. As an educator and a high school football coach I found the story about the DeLa Salle football program to be one that was well worth telling. For those that see the world from rose colored glasses maybe you should only read books that do not tell things how they really are. Anyone who did not like this book is obviously an individual who has not spent anytime in athletics or coaching athletes. So to those who who do not appreciate athletics I suggest you do not rate a book that you have no backgroud to judge. This book is a great choice for anyone who has ever been an athlete ot coached them. My compliments to the author and the DeLa Salle football team and staff. I thank you for sharing your experience with me.
Rating: 
Summary: Major Bias
Review: I was intrigued by the story, having attended high school in the Bay Area myself. The book really makes you appreciate the DLS program and their recent streak. That being said, there is a considerable bias present in this book. It is written almost in defense of the DLS program, rather than taking an outside view of whats been happening. When the issues of recruiting and "stealing" of players arise, the author takes a defensive posture, pleading the DLS case almost as if he is employed by the school. Perhaps, due in large part to his long-time coverage of DLS for the Contra Costa Times, the author has lost the ability to write an objective piece on the subject. Just a thought...
Nice story though.
Rating: 
Summary: Pardon my, but my bias is showing
Review: I would recommend this book to anyone interested in high school football, or anyone interested in theories and applications of motivation. I'll admit I am very close to the subject: Mr. Hayes and I have been colleagues and friends for years; I met Bob Ladouceur at San Jose State; and my stepson-to-be is a De La Salle graduate. Mr. Hayes' book was nostaliac, entertaining and enlightening. There isn't a successful football team in the world where the teammates don't bond, but De La Salle is different than any other school I have covered in Central and East Contra Costa. The school's all-world standouts, such as Kevin Simon, D.J. Williams, Matt Gutierrez, Demetrius Williams, Maurice Drew, et. al., would have been stars at any school. The program was built, though, on players of average size and skill being motivated to accomplish above-average things. When another high school team gets 45 players committed to starting the next season's preparation three weeks after the season ends, to work like dogs during the summer, to run sprints before practice before the coaches show up, that team will beat De La Salle -- and they will have learned the same lessons.
Rating:
Summary: Great Coach, Great Team, Great School - Great Read.
Review: If you've heard about DLS, but want to learn more, read this well-written book. If you've heard the rumors about what DLS does or doesn't do, read this book. If you find it hard to believe that that a team can win 151 games in a row and would like to learn how they did it, read this book.If you are inadequate and like to tear down others' accomplishments, don't buy this book - it will only frustrate you. If you think that the only way a school can accomplish great things in sports is by selling their soul to that sport, this book will not satisfy you. If you would like to read about a VERY good school that unknowingly hired the best High School football coach ever to produce the most extraordinary football team in history, read this book. You will be very satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: Great Coach, Great Team, Great School - Great Read.
Review: If you've heard about DLS, but want to learn more, read this well-written book. If you've heard the rumors about what DLS does or doesn't do, read this book. If you find it hard to believe that that a team can win 151 games in a row and would like to learn how they did it, read this book. If you are inadequate and like to tear down others' accomplishments, don't buy this book - it will only frustrate you. If you think that the only way a school can accomplish great things in sports is by selling their soul to that sport, this book will not satisfy you. If you would like to read about a VERY good school that unknowingly hired the best High School football coach ever to produce the most extraordinary football team in history, read this book. You will be very satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: Life Lessons
Review: It's not about football. It's not about wins. It is about hard work and love. Would this book be written if De La Salle football was a .500 team? No. Would the essence of the story be valuable if De La Salle Football was a .500 team. YES! I know the appeal of "When the Game Stands Tall" will be to find the answer to the question, "How do they do it?" The deeper truth you'll find is, "How do these coaches build men out of boys?", and "How do they build a team out of individuals?"
Rating:
Summary: The secret is simple - RECRUIT
Review: It's really not such an amazing feat when you take it into account that De La Salle is the only local high school that actually RECRUITS football players. If they earned this record based on students in the area and NOT the recruitment efforts, or, if they played other schools that recruited players, THAT would be worth writing a book about. It's always rubbed me the wrong way that a high school team does this. Does De La Salle turn out amazing players? Definitely. The funny thing is though, most of them were already highly talented before they got there, which is WHY they got there.
Rating:
Summary: When the Human Spirit Stands Tall
Review: Let me preface with the fact that I have no affiliation with the program. In fact I live in South Carolina. I watched a De La Salle game last fall on ESPN2 and was immediately intrigued. This program is an outstanding testament to the glory of which we are capable, if we only work hard, have faith and sacrifice for others. Isn't everything in the world about sacrifice? Parents for their children, etc.? These kids make a commitment, define goals, sacrifice time and sweat, for the greater good of the team. For each other. What Coach Ladouceur and the others have done should be an example to all. Coach Lombardi attributed his Packers' success to Love and work ethic. Coach Osborne said exactly the same words for his Cornhuskers. Success always breeds contempt, po-boywhatever. For the detractors in California, all I can say is "open your eyes." The De La Salle players are much smaller than the players in the public schools. Those public schools in California consistently send players to D 1 colleges. Plus bonehead, how "talented" do you really consider 8th graders, 12-13 year olds? Which is the average age if they were to recruit. These players lift and run 48 weeks out of the year for 4 STRAIGHT YEARS. If ya do that, you get pretty strong and fast. This book is well written, very precise, informative, and certainly not biased. I loved the bits of history, as well as the drama of the players off-field difficulties. I connected well with the religious subjects, I am also Catholic. It's a good read and well worth the money and time.
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