2018 Winner of the Midwest Book Awards in the category Inspiration David's journey from the playgrounds of Milwaukee to Cameron indoor stadium and beyond, is captivating and provides a framework to find a new perspective and to build a life filled with passion and purpose. Getting Undressed is inspiring and proof that you can win in life, regardless of the circumstances.
-Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, Men s Basketball, Duke University
At the age of 15, high school sophomore and basketball player David Cooks experienced a spinal aneurism, leaving him a T-6 paraplegic. Refusing to let the wheelchair determine the man, he made the decision to persevere from the very beginning–and he never let go of his passion for the game. In Getting Undressed, David describes his journey to independence and purpose, and how “getting undressed” for change can pose huge challenges, literally and figuratively.A story of inspiration and motivation. David shares his struggles and successes on and off the court–with honesty, perseverance, and faith.
IMPACTING LIVES. INFLUENCING BUSINESS. CHANGING THE NARRATIVE.
David Cooks David Cooks is the founder of David Cooks Enterprises, LLC, a speaking, coaching and training organization that helps businesses and individuals put their purpose into action. Rooted in servant leadership, David's experience as a coach, a businessman and an educator has equipped him to speak with clarity on teamwork, leadership and communication. David received his Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Duke University and his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His career path includes time spent in banking, education and athletics. David is currently an assistant basketball coach at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. The highlights of David's coaching career are time spent at Duke University working with Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski and joining Frank Martin and Guy Rancourt in Estonia and Finland as a member of the coaching staff for USA East Coast Basketball.
David and his wife, MariPat, reside in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Eric Wolffersdorff Eric Wolffersdorff is a high school creative writing and English teacher at Burlington High School in Burlington, Wisconsin. As the final cut on the junior varsity basketball team at MUHS 14 years ago, he never played basketball under Coach Cooks' leadership but through the writing of this book he feels he experienced part of the leadership he missed. After working together on this project, Eric feels he *made the cut* this time. Eric received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Middle/Secondary Education and Writing Intensive English from Marquette University. Eric and his wife, Cassandra, live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
