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Reviews

"Being a part of the Valdosta State Basketball program changed my life. They Played Through the Echo of the Whistle is a great description of how the coaches and staff at VSC developed the perfect environment for players, like me, to grow as a leader. The book will stay in my library and I will share with family and friends forever. Jim Springfield VSC Basketball 1970-74 They Played Through the Echo fo the Whistle captures a magical era of Valdosta State basketball from 1954-1972. I am thankful I had the chance to read this inspiring tale of teams that played ""through the echo of the whistle"" and won 11 GIAC Championships in 12 years. As a former head coach, I was intrigued by their ability to dominate their competition consistently, under three different head coaches within those 12 years. This book's fascinating perspective piqued my interest, and I soon discovered the Valdosta State Rebels were not only successful but were a dynasty in that era; and the writer provides insights into the reasons they were successful year after year. The further I read, the more amazed I became with the stories and insights into the coaches, players, and each season, as the book traced the development of the program from a club team to perennial conference champions. Having competed against Valdosta State in the early years of this dynasty, the book ignited memories long ago shelved away in my mind of the rabid nature of the fans in Valdosta, and the amount of noise they created in a 2,500-seat gym. I vividly remembered the level of extraordinary intensity with which those teams played the game from beginning to end. The book's title, They Played Through the Echo of the Whistle, reminded me of what it was like playing against the likes of Jim Nichols and Chuck Bonovitch under the backboards! As the pages unfurled, the stories of the players the coaches recruited were informative in that character mattered as much or more than talent to the head coaches. The coaches had a name for that character, the Rebel Spirit, which contributed to their sustained success as a team. This inspiring story tells how players with character and talent were transformed by the head coaches who knew how to create a championship culture that shows the effects of great leadership from beginning to end! At heart, all of these men, Valdosta State coaches, staff, and players were united in their commitment to pursue perfection and experience excellence! Bradford, former CEO of the Atlanata Tip-Off Club and the Naismith Awards ""Looking back now and viewing the string of GIAC Championships, with every other conference team trying to knock us off, is quite an accomplishment. That Colson, Melvin, and Dominey were able to take an assortment of talent and mold it into championship teams-says a lot about their leadership talent and skills."" Jim Nichols, VSC Basketball 1960-63"

Being a part of the Valdosta State Basketball program changed my life. They Played Through the Echo of the Whistle is a great description of how the coaches and staff at VSC developed the perfect environment for players, like me, to grow as a leader. The book will stay in my library and I will share with family and friends forever. Jim Springfield VSC Basketball 1970-74 They Played Through the Echo fo the Whistle captures a magical era of Valdosta State basketball from 1954-1972. I am thankful I had the chance to read this inspiring tale of teams that played through the echo of the whistle and won 11 GIAC Championships in 12 years. As a former head coach, I was intrigued by their ability to dominate their competition consistently, under three different head coaches within those 12 years. This book's fascinating perspective piqued my interest, and I soon discovered the Valdosta State Rebels were not only successful but were a dynasty in that era; and the writer provides insights into the reasons they were successful year after year. The further I read, the more amazed I became with the stories and insights into the coaches, players, and each season, as the book traced the development of the program from a club team to perennial conference champions. Having competed against Valdosta State in the early years of this dynasty, the book ignited memories long ago shelved away in my mind of the rabid nature of the fans in Valdosta, and the amount of noise they created in a 2,500-seat gym. I vividly remembered the level of extraordinary intensity with which those teams played the game from beginning to end. The book's title, They Played Through the Echo of the Whistle, reminded me of what it was like playing against the likes of Jim Nichols and Chuck Bonovitch under the backboards! As the pages unfurled, the stories of the players the coaches recruited were informative in that character mattered as much or more than talent to the head coaches. The coaches had a name for that character, the Rebel Spirit, which contributed to their sustained success as a team. This inspiring story tells how players with character and talent were transformed by the head coaches who knew how to create a championship culture that shows the effects of great leadership from beginning to end! At heart, all of these men, Valdosta State coaches, staff, and players were united in their commitment to pursue perfection and experience excellence! Bradford, former CEO of the Atlanata Tip-Off Club and the Naismith Awards Looking back now and viewing the string of GIAC Championships, with every other conference team trying to knock us off, is quite an accomplishment. That Colson, Melvin, and Dominey were able to take an assortment of talent and mold it into championship teams-says a lot about their leadership talent and skills. Jim Nichols, VSC Basketball 1960-63

Being a part of the Valdosta State Basketball program changed my life. They Played Through the Echo of the Whistle is a great description of how the coaches and staff at VSC developed the perfect environment for players, like me, to grow as a leader. The book will stay in my library and I will share with family and friends forever. Jim Springfield VSC Basketball 1970-74 They Played Through the Echo fo the Whistle captures a magical era of Valdosta State basketball from 1954-1972. I am thankful I had the chance to read this inspiring tale of teams that played ""through the echo of the whistle"" and won 11 GIAC Championships in 12 years. As a former head coach, I was intrigued by their ability to dominate their competition consistently, under three different head coaches within those 12 years. This book's fascinating perspective piqued my interest, and I soon discovered the Valdosta State Rebels were not only successful but were a dynasty in that era; and the writer provides insights into the reasons they were successful year after year. The further I read, the more amazed I became with the stories and insights into the coaches, players, and each season, as the book traced the development of the program from a club team to perennial conference champions. Having competed against Valdosta State in the early years of this dynasty, the book ignited memories long ago shelved away in my mind of the rabid nature of the fans in Valdosta, and the amount of noise they created in a 2,500-seat gym. I vividly remembered the level of extraordinary intensity with which those teams played the game from beginning to end. The book's title, They Played Through the Echo of the Whistle, reminded me of what it was like playing against the likes of Jim Nichols and Chuck Bonovitch under the backboards! As the pages unfurled, the stories of the players the coaches recruited were informative in that character mattered as much or more than talent to the head coaches. The coaches had a name for that character, the Rebel Spirit, which contributed to their sustained success as a team. This inspiring story tells how players with character and talent were transformed by the head coaches who knew how to create a championship culture that shows the effects of great leadership from beginning to end! At heart, all of these men, Valdosta State coaches, staff, and players were united in their commitment to pursue perfection and experience excellence! Bradford, former CEO of the Atlanata Tip-Off Club and the Naismith Awards ""Looking back now and viewing the string of GIAC Championships, with every other conference team trying to knock us off, is quite an accomplishment. That Colson, Melvin, and Dominey were able to take an assortment of talent and mold it into championship teams-says a lot about their leadership talent and skills."" Jim Nichols, VSC Basketball 1960-63

Author Information

Fred Gibbons is a polio survivor from the Polio Epidemic of the 1930-1950's. Having contracted polio in the fall of 1953 at 5 years of age Fred was paralyzed below the waist. After extensive surgeries over 4 summers, he regained 60% of the function in his right leg and wore a full length brace on his left leg. Fred credits his Physical Therapists with teaching him life lessons over those 4-5 years like setting goals and how to get up off the ground after falling (by himself), he became the essence of resilience and determination. He never lost his love and passion for athletics becoming a manager for the football team in junior high school and a student trainer in high school at Southwest Miami High School. While Athletic Training opened doors to Valdosta State, it was Fred's infectious positive attitude, along with his resilience and 'never give in' spirit that Coach Jim Melvin wanted. A testament to his spirit and influence the Valdosta State players elected him co-captain his last season at VSC ('71), and he won the Rebel Spirit Award 3 times. Fred moved from Valdosta State to Pepperdine to serve as a graduate assistant helping former Valdosta State Coach Gary Colson rebuild the Pepperdine Athletic Program. At Pepperdine he entered the Clinical Psych graduate program. In addition, Fred spent time learning from Dodger Trainer Dr. Bill Buehler and served as an Assistant in the Southern Cal Professional Basketball Summer League. Fred married Leslie Hale in the spring of '74. Fred's passion for coaching, teaching, and counseling early adolescents led to a successful stint at Audubon Junior High (south central LA) where his teams became a powerhouse, that included winning a Men's Industrial League Championship. Leslie and Fred jumped head long into the Youth and Family Ministry in 1978 where they were able to utilize their skills and gifts to connect with young people and parents across the country. Fred was a volunteer coach wherever they lived and served, serving on the Artesia HS staff in 1978 that won a New Mexico State Championship in Football, assisting Odessa Permian High School basketball team that reached the Regional Finals in 1980, and served the Dunwoody Wildcats varsity football team from 1983-88 as a volunteer in charge of culture development. When Fred came aboard Dunwoody had suffered through a winless season, after a spring and summer with Fred the Wildcats stormed into the playoffs, eventually winning a State Championship by 1990. Business leaders (who were parents of teens in his youth group in Atlanta) saw the impact Fred had on a variety of cultures asked him to work with them to enhance their corporate cultures. At the same time Fred designed, implemented, and managed a Peer Counseling team (15-20 juniors and seniors) within Greater Atlanta Christian HS. The program was designed to proactively help peers struggling with any number of life issues, including suicidal thoughts. In 1990 Fred and Leslie moved to Webster, Florida to open a new chapter in their life. With 2 young sons in tow, they renovated the house Fred lived with his grandparents. Leslie, who had been a stay-at-home-mom during the boy's early years returned to the classroom and became Lake County Teacher of the Year. Fred returned to grad school but switched from Clinical Psych to HR Management and Organizational Development in order to enrich his insights and skills in Organizational and Leadership Development, and he opened an Executive Coaching practice that focused on family owned, private businesses. Shortly thereafter, The Villages offered Fred the opportunity to develop a Learning Culture within their company. Fred served The Villages primarily focusing on Leadership and Organizational Development, as well as managing Human Resources. Concurrent with his day job Fred developed a feeder program for Leesburg HS Basketball, which within 4 years was winning District Championships and competing for State

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