The Sweet Season: A Sportswriter Rediscovers Football, Family, and a Bit of Faith at Minnesota's St. John's University

You won't find jerks like Randy Moss or Brian Bosworth in the pages of this book, unless they are mentions solely as a stark contrast to the genuinely respectful and worthy athletes of St. Johns. Reading this book reminded me of the potential of all athletics to reap great good from the hearts and minds of youth, and also reminded me that, as a coach, it's my responsibility to sow those seeds.

The book can be enjoyed on several levels-- as humor, as a description of a sporting season, and above all, as a triumph of what football is supposed to be-- fun for everyone involved, ESPECIALLY the players.

I hope you enjoy it.


A well told story   February 18, 2003
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Gentle Readers, Austin Murphy tells us a little about St. John's University football in "The Sweet Season" and a lot about his marriage, his faith, his family, his work as a Sports Illustrated writer, the state of professional football, Catholics, and himself. He is funny. The subjects are big and serious. Murphy moves you through these subjects and the book with detailed descriptions especially with an eye for the humor in all of it. You need not be a sports fan to enjoy this story. Is it literature? Maybe...


A great book for any sports fan who has lost his way   December 28, 2002
 1 out of 3 found this review helpful

This is an outstanding book. Rarely have I enjoyed reading anything so much. The story of the Johnnies is the story of how college athletics is supposed to be, so far from the hype-infused, over-inflated embarassment practiced at most DI schools. The people are clear and honest, though human and not perfect. Everyone from the monks to the coach brings a unique perspective and a happiness to be where he is. Murphy's tale of his own story weaves in well.

My only criticisms of the book are that Murphy repeats a lot of facts he gave already, and that he kind of tricks us by not revealing his father-in-law graduated from St. John's years before. In other words, while he tells the story of making his way to St. John's, it kind of rings like he discovered it by accident.

It doesn't really matter. Murphy is funny and witty, and the book is a great read.


Where is Collegeville?   October 29, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

After years of watching the pros, collegians and now high-schoolers celebrate routine plays with hot dog juvenile antics it was a pleasure to read of Coach Gagliardi and his Johnnies. I'm a bit too old to enroll but I do have two elementary age boys who would love it, if I can just convince them that the snow country is not just for vacations, people really live there year around.
Thanks Austin for some very pleasant evenings.


Football and a Whole Lot More   July 3, 2002
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

As an American now residing in Hong Kong, I was searching for a good read about one of the many things I miss about home and something which is truly American; college football. However, with the Sweet Season, the reader will get football plus a view on life.

Austin Murphy has written a book that is not only hysterical, but also deals with everyday annoyances, nuances, joys and frustrations of life while still not losing the main focus of the book, which is the season he spent with the Johnnies. Austin will have you cheering for Coach Gagliardi and his boys, will have you laughing over stories of the "beef jar" and will probably make you ponder your own life and what is important.

Needless to say, I recommend this book. I recommend it to anyone looking for a good laugh, looking for a good yarn about football, or just looking for a fresh prespective on life.