By Becky Walz,
Longtime Iowa sports writers Craig Sesker and Doug Newhoff will be in Decorah Wednesday to promote their new book, “Home Sweet Dome,” which shares the stories of the state’s best high school football programs and players during the playoff era.
The book includes an extensive chapter on the tradition-rich Decorah High program and its five state championships. Hall of Fame coaches Dick Wuest and Bill Post talk about their days leading the Vikings, while legendary players Jason Olejniczak and Josey Jewell recount some of the epic matchups during their careers and explain what it means to play football for Decorah.
Wednesday’s book signing will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. at T-Bocks.
The product of more than a year’s work, “Home Sweet Dome” features 44 total chapters, 560 pages, more than 100 photos and nearly 100 interviews with outstanding players, coaches and others who have made autumn Friday nights memorable for fans throughout our state.
The book has something for everyone. It’s more than a history of Iowa high school football’s best programs and players in the playoff era. This is a book about heartwarming successes, but also heartbreaking failures. It’s about why competitive sports, and football in particular, matter. It’s football through the eyes of those who coached it, played it and lived it.
“My first reaction when reading this was ‘wow,’” noted Cedar Rapids Gazette sports editor J.R. Ogden. “What a great collection of high school football stories in Iowa, great story-telling and memorable moments and programs. Friday nights are crazy for sportswriters across this state and country, but it’s these kind of stories that keep us going. A must-read for football fans everywhere.”
Said retired Iowa High School Athletic Association director Bernie Saggau, “If Friday night high school football was a part of your life, then this book will truly touch your heart and create lots of great memories.”
University of Northern Iowa head football coach Mark Farley: “What an awesome read! ‘Home Sweet Dome’ is a treasure chest of Iowa high school football that preserves the past, but also embraces so much of what we love about the sport. Great stories, great interviews, great book!”
And Dan McCarney, who recruited many of the players interviewed for the book during his career as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa and as Iowa State’s head coach, had this reaction: “Hang on high school football fans. This book is going to take you on a helluva ride with the state’s best teams, coaches and players!”
We hope you’ll find time to give the book a read and perhaps share information about its availability with your readers.
“Home Sweet Dome” will be available Wednesday and can also be purchased online at www.domeplayoffs.com or by sending a check or money order for $35 (includes shipping) to Home Sweet Dome, 5407 Glacier Dr., Cedar Falls, IA., 50613.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of “Home Sweet Dome” will be donated to the Ed Thomas Family Foundation.
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