A Gift Before Dying

Stephen Thompson

This book tells the story of the 1999-2000 University of Alabama basketball season, detailing the hectic lives of the Tide coaches and players. The author, himself a former coach, joined the team, recording their practices and travels over a six-month period, and gaining a behind-the-scenes view, including the camaraderie and companionship of the coaching staff.

Alabama Head Coach Mark Gottfried participated fully with Thompson, allowing complete access and candid insights into the coaching process and the pressure cooker that is NCAA Division I basketball. Delving into the ups and downs of an emotionally draining season, Thompson builds his story around Assistant Coach Robert "Rah Rah" Scott, who was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer just weeks before the season began. A popular and outstanding former player for the Crimson Tide, Scott was given only months to live, and he chose to spend much of his diminishing time trying to help struggling young athletes find their way, both on and off the court.

Part sports book and part eulogy to a good and courageous man, A Gift Before Dying examines the inner workings of college sports, and shows how a team pulled together when they fell part.

about the author
Stephen Thompson earned undergraduate and law degrees from  the University of Alabama.  He was a teacher and an assistant basketball coach at Milford Academy in Connecticut before completing A Gift before Dying.  This is his first book.