"That Little Son of a B**ch!": A Soccer Journey from Tears and Humiliation to National Champions and Hermann Trophy Winner

by Billy Gazonas

Overview

This is an incredibly inspiring soccer story that shows us that if you're really motivated and ignore those that say you are not good enough, you can make your dreams a reality. Billy Gazonas-at 5-foot-3, 132 pounds - yearned to play for perennial Division 1 soccer powerhouse Hartwick College in upstate New York. But head coach Timo Liekoski, considered by many to be the brightest mind in college soccer then, told Billy that he was not good enough to play at Hartwick and should go elsewhere. But Timo could not measure Billy's indomitable will to succeed. He enrolled at Hartwick and barely managed to survive two brutal weeks of preseason practice. That was followed by the first regular season game against Montclair State, with Billy's parents in attendance. He was the only player not to get into the game. He was humiliated and in tears as he sat in the back of the bus for the ride back to Oneonta. But he refused to be defeated. Instead, he devoted himself to endless hours of secret training to master the ball and try to earn playing time with the varsity. This remarkable story culminated with Billy's last game when he captained Hartwick to the NCAA Championship. He also was named the winner of the Hermann Trophy, given to the nation's best college soccer player. If ever there was a story to motivate you to reach for the stars, this is it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781734222814
Publisher:	Polemistis Press
Publication date:	05/13/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	340
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

I did not attend an Ivy League University and major in English Literature. As a matter of fact, English was one of my least favorite subjects. Although I am an avid reader, I find writing difficult and intimidating, especially when one considers the works of so many brilliant authors who are so magical with their words. I did not create this story; I lived it. "That Little Son of a B**ch!" took many years to complete. If not for that will to win that God blessed me with, I do not think I ever would have finished this book. The most important aspect for me to convey to you is what I went through, my roller coaster of emotions. The fears, embarrassments, elations, devastating defeats, jubilation in victory, and the drive and passion I felt every day throughout my four years at Hartwick College. If you are able to feel what I was going through, then I will consider this book a success.

Table of Contents

Foreword

1       Cold Feet

2       Time to Prove Timo Wrong

3       The Opportunity Presents Itself

4       Tension Mounts

Photo Section 1

5       It's a Derby Match

6       St. Louis in Sight

7       We Could Have Been

8       I Have to Become a Much Better Player

9       I Love the Summer

10      Here We Go Again

11      Something is Missing

Photo Section 2

12      The Change

13      Holiday Surprises

14      Mr. Pibb Win, Win and Win

15      Coaching and Educational Decisions

16      Bicentennial Cup and Amateur Cup

17      June Finals

18      Training With Ping Pong

19      The Lennox Era Begins

20      The Path is Set

21      The Light Bulb Went Off

22      The Final Four

Photo Section 3

23      Dodging Death

24      High Spring Hopes Lost

25      Olympic Invite Declined

26      My Last Summer to Train with Ping Pong

27      Senior Year Preseason

28      It Officially Counts Now

29      Finally, the Right Lineup

30      The Real Season Starts Now

31      I Have Been Waiting Four Years For This Game

32      The Icing on the Cake

After College

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

A story about one of the greatest pound for pound soccer players the United States of America ever produced. Great life lessons and insightful soccer tactics. Would make an inspiring movie as well. Displays the drive and determination to be the best Amazon John M. Pasela

From the Publisher