COACH LEE PATTON, the Untold Legend

OVERVIEW:In my small, Appalachian hometown, mere mention of his name evoked a strange, hushed sort of reverence. Adults knew him, even idolized him, yet rarely offered the slightest explanation. For kids, he was a mystery — a famous coach from a different generation, a good person who died too soon. Over the years, memories of Lee Patton faded, and the plaque at the football field bearing his name went away. Since those seventh-grade football days, Coach Patton stuck with me as a ghost from the past, an untold legend.Who is Lee Patton? In sports, he is remembered as a beloved all-sports high school coach and a record-shattering basketball coach at West Virginia University. As a man, he is revered for his unwavering character and endearing attributes — witty, wily, friendly, honest, brilliant, gracious, authentic, loyal, tough, resilient, caring, generous, frugal, humble, well-educated, well-read, scientific, musical, creative, visionary, holistic, inspiring, audacious, driven. He lit fires that continue to burn within and far beyond sports.MAIN SETTINGS:TEXAS: Railroad camps, Old East Dallas, San Antonio, University of Texas, Sul Ross, Alpine.ARIZONA: Northern Arizona State College, Flagstaff, Ash Fork, Williams.MASSACHUSETTS: Springfield College.NEW YORK: New Rochelle, Iona Prep, NYC.WEST VIRGINIA: Princeton, PHS, Morgantown, WVU.CHARACTERS include celebrities such as Andy Devine, Phog Allen, Adolph Rupp, Knute Rockne, and James Naismith, plus numerous hall of fame athletes. The main characters are his friends, family, players, fellow coaches, journalists, and hoards of friends along the way – many of whom are known casually or intimately by some readers.Lee Patton saw his adopted hometown of Princeton WV through the Great Depression and most of WW2. As a coach, community leader, and practitioner of humanics, Lee instilled a can-do mentality there that continues to fuel the American dream deep in the heart of Appalachia.Coach Lee Patton understood the stigma of poverty, and living without a father, and being weak, and being an outsider. He honored his past by helping others to win. Coach Lee Patton, The Untold Legend is packed triumphs, tragedies, history, and sports. Above all else, Lee Patton's story provides real hope and inspiration today for men, women, boys, girls, and teams of all descriptions.Aim high.Shoot straight.Let's go!Bill Yearout, author Read more