Pam Sitton Reviews:

Boosters Always Win!
by Harriet Benson

Boosters Always Win! should be a boring book ­ but it's not.  It details the creation of the Fast Break Club, the Stanford University women's basketball team booster organization.  What could be a dry recitation of a club's formation is instead an entertaining account that delves deeper, beyond what might otherwise only interest followers of the Stanford team.

Harriet Benson infuses the story with quotes from key members, including fans, players, and coaches, providing different perspectives ­ with comical anecdotes as a bonus.  It highlights the many challenges faced by this large volunteer organization, such as fundraising, communication (or lack, thereof) with the coaching staff and school administration, with the occasional away game travel debacle thrown in for good measure.  Anyone charged with turning a wildly varied group of volunteers into a cohesive organization will relate to the problems the Fast Break Club encountered.

Going a step further, the author gives a brief history of the game and the political maneuvering over the last four decades, most notably, Title IX, which has empowered women's collegiate sports, paving the way for successful programs such as Stanford's.  We even get a brief glimpse into the recruiting process, both at Stanford and several other universities, the careful courting of desirable players a subject that could likely fill another book.

This book covers a broad spectrum under the umbrella of women's collegiate sports, with a fast pace that keeps pulling you forward, much like the sport it covers.  The dedication, tenacity, and resourcefulness of the booster club is an inspiration.  If you're already a fan of college basketball, you'll find the book an insightful look behind the scenes with the volunteers who go above and beyond.  Not already a fan?  The enthusiasm of the author for her subject just might make you one.