John R. Gerdy has seen nearly every side of athletics. He is the son of a high school football coach; he was an All-American and professional basketball player and a legislative assistant for the National Collegiate Athletic Association; and he served as an associate commissioner for the Southeastern Conference. In Air Ball: American Education's Failed Experiment with Elite Athletics, Gerdy brings all of those perspectives to argue that the American system of school and community athletics is broken. But he is no mere naysayer. He offers a bold, progressive blueprint for reforming athletics to meet our country's educational and public health needs. Given higher education's historic role of providing leadership in our society, the initiative to restore a more sensible balance between athletics and education must begin with the reform of big-time college athletics. Despite widespread public skepticism regarding higher education's ability to change the system, Gerdy argues that the opportunity for reform has never been better. Using a provocative mix of research and thoughtful observation, he argues that, for the first time in the history of American higher education, the critical mass of people, organizations, and outside pressures necessary to drive and sustain progressive, systemic reform of the college athletic enterprise are in place.

Kirby Nickel loves basketball. The only problem is he can't play basketball. But when an opportunity to meet NBA star Brett McGrew comes up, Kirby knows he has to take a chance and try out for the basketball team. Getting on the team turns out to be easy—the rest of the boys are as supremely untalented as Kirby—but winning in order to be eligible to meet McGrew is a whole different problem. Different and embarrassing. The coach's radical new plan for success involves the boys playing in their underwear. But if this crazy idea works, Kirby will get to meet his hero—who he secretly also hopes is his long-lost father.

The first book to look at the advanced skills and proficiency in field hockey from the athlete's perspective presents in-depth offensive and defensive strategies.

Great basketball players like Tim Duncan and Dwyane Wade draw oohs and aahs with their spectacular moves. But before those players developed their superstar flair, they built a solid base of fundamental skills in all phases of the game. Basketball Skills & Drills provides a perfect blueprint for building the foundation that every well-rounded player needs. This special book and DVD package demonstrates each key skill: -Player positioning -Moving without the ball -Shooting -Passing, catching, and dribbling -Perimeter moves -Post moves -Defense -Rebounding The skills and 90 drills, coaching tips, and DVD reinforce the skill instruction, emphasize key points, and explain how to correct common errors. And since individual skills are effective only when used within the team concept, the book also covers key team principles for both ends of the court. Tactics for offense, including special situations such as out-of-bounds plays, will improve spacing, ball and player movement, shot selection, and scoring. Defensive tactics emphasize positioning, pressure, and various systems to apply in each area or level of the court. To be an all-star, you must be fundamentally sound. Basketball Skills & Drills is your guide to becoming a complete player--one who can change the game with great moves and smart play.

Significant progress has been made in advanced packaging in recent years. Several new packaging techniques have been developed and new packaging materials have been introduced. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in this industry, particularly in the areas of microelectronics, optoelectronics, digital health, and bio-medical applications. The book discusses established techniques, as well as emerging technologies, in order to provide readers with the most up-to-date developments in advanced packaging.

It's 24/7 money, fame, and game on-and off-the court. But the real action is behind the scenes in Regina Hart's sizzling new pro b-ball series, where the stakes are everything and winning means playing for keeps. . . He's a two-time MVP and three-time championship winner. He lives to be the best. And now that he's a first-time coach, DeMarcus Guinn will lead the NBA's worst team to the top his way-or no way at all. But the team's fiery franchise owner, Jaclyn Jones, is fighting him at every turn. And their unexpectedly seductive one-on-one is the kind of game time he can't resist. . . Turning her family's team into winners is Jaclyn's only hope of saving them and her community. She's used to being in control, but DeMarcus' determination-and the way he makes her feel-are like no moves she's ever seen. And with everything they care about on the line, they'll have to play to win . . . or lose their hearts.