The Ol' Coach Sez: Essential Indiana Basketball Collection

From the back cover: Indiana basketball shines in this compilation of William H. “Gus” Moorhead’s engaging stories written during his 14-year career with Ripley Publishing Company newspapers. In conversational style, Gus shares about his journey as a boy falling in love with the round-ball sport, to his endeavors as an accomplished player, fiery coach, and lifetime friend of the game. Dive into Ripley County and Madison, Indiana basketball history, visiting sites like Tyson Auditorium in Versailles and Brown Gymnasium in Madison. Meet famous figures including Hoosier legends “The Big O” Oscar Robertson, Paul D. “Tony” Hinkle, John Wooden, and Bobby Knight; as well as local legends like Madison’s coach Ray Eddy, Madison player Andy Taff, and Versailles pharmacist Alan F. Smith. The Ol’ Coach reminisces upon the 1954 Milan Miracle through the eyes of a rival, and he remembers the Versailles Pumpkin Show as a newcomer to town. This is “Hoosier Hysteria” at its peak. Old-time fans, current coaches and players, and all Hoosier-hearted people who appreciate the wisdom and values embodied through sport will enjoy this insightful collection.

About the author: William H. "Gus" Moorhead was a lifelong Indiana basketball enthusiast. He played four years of varsity ball for the Madison Cubs (1944-47) and the Hanover Panthers (1948-51), before coaching the Versailles Lions for 15 seasons and the consolidated South Ripley Raiders for two seasons (1952-68). He led his teams to four consecutive sectional championships from 1957-60, and three Ripley County Tourney titles. Following his coaching career, he served as principal of South Ripley High School for 23 years. For over 14 years in retirement, Gus wrote the weekly columns, The Ol' Coach Sez and Double Dribbles for Ripley Publishing Company newspapers (1991-2006). He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980, the Hanover College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Ripley County Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He passed on in 2008. About the compiler: Jared Daniel Rogers is the living compiler and editor of Gus Moorhead's book, but more importantly, he is Gus's grandson. Jared is a former writer and editor for Ripley Publishing Company newspapers (2017-2020), where he focused on youth athletics, community news, events, and positive people. He is the author and publisher of a poetry collection entitled Love is the Constant, released in 2017.