Book SummaryWe Will Rise, by Steve Beaven

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of We Will Rise

The basketball team's storied past and lasting heritage are firmly rooted in the University of Evansville.

The initiation of the Aces basketball program signified the onset of an important era for Evansville College.

In the 1940s, Arad McCutchan, a recognized figure in the local basketball circles, took the helm of the Aces and turned the team into a powerhouse in the small-college basketball scene.

The narrative of the University of Evansville's basketball program is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Arad McCutchan, as chronicled by Steve Beaven. McCutchan, who was raised near Evansville, distinguished himself on the basketball court, leading the Aces in scoring and consistently serving as captain during his time at university. After finishing his time in the Navy following World War II, McCutchan reconnected with the university from which he graduated in 1946, taking on the position of head coach and beginning a legendary coaching career that spanned more than three decades.

McCutchan underscored the importance of unity and focused on nurturing a sense of collective spirit as a cornerstone of his coaching strategy. He rarely criticized officials or became audibly involved in arguments about the members of his team. He fostered a familial atmosphere among the team members, providing support and counsel at his home that went beyond the realm of basketball. He also innovated by introducing longer uniforms for players to enable quick substitutions, and chose white shoes to help decrease the instances of movement infractions. The dedication and work ethic of McCutchan's players, along with his coaching techniques, turned the UE program into a powerhouse that garnered national attention and drew in premier talent from the surrounding area.

Under Coach McCutchan's guidance, the Aces achieved national recognition in the 1960s and clinched five national championships.

Beaven chronicles how the Aces climbed to the pinnacle of national recognition, particularly during the 1960s, when they, guided by McCutchan, captured five national championships. During this time, the team achieved the zenith of victory, cementing their status as a formidable force in college basketball. The triumph was greatly shaped by the strategic choice to lure major events to Roberts Stadium by offering substantial financial enticements to secure their participation. The relatively small basketball program at the University of Evansville succeeded in drawing in prestigious teams for games by...

We Will Rise Summary The community responded to the devastating aerial tragedy that led to the deaths of most team members.

Beaven narrates the heartbreaking incident in Evansville on December 13, 1977, where a devastating plane crash took place shortly after takeoff, claiming the lives of everyone on board, among them the players and their coach. The tragic event profoundly impacted the historical story of the city, plunging its residents into profound grief and permanently altering the legacy of UE basketball.

Upon discovering the circumstances of the tragedy, the Evansville community was profoundly stricken with intense grief and a pervasive sense of loss.

Steve Beaven offers an in-depth depiction of the catastrophe, emphasizing the difficulties that rescue workers encountered while trying to reach the accident site in a waterlogged field. As news of the incident spread throughout the city, a profound sorrow swiftly took the place of the initial shock. McCutchan was devastated, having spent countless hours both in the medical facility and at the makeshift morgue. The sorrow of that fateful night was profound, yet the community felt no deeper loss than that of Bob Hudson, whose commitment to the University of Evansville's well-being stood without equal.

Witness accounts describe the...

We Will Rise Summary The UE basketball team underwent a revival after the tragedy.

Steve Beaven narrates the efforts of the university to rebuild its shattered basketball program, focusing on the hiring of Dick Walters as coach and his strategy for creating a new team. Walters, brimming with vigor and determination, embarked on a mission to establish a robust program, attract talented athletes, and reignite the enthusiasm among the spectators at Roberts Stadium, all the while tactfully dealing with the residual effects of the previous catastrophe.

With Coach Dick Walters at the helm, the program embarked on a rejuvenating new chapter.

In early 1978, the University of Evansville recruited Dick Walters, who had previously served as a coach at the College of DuPage. Beaven portrays Walters as an individual with a profound sense of resolve and a sharp grasp of the complexities within the media landscape, distinguishing him as an extraordinarily worldly and nonconformist figure in the field. Despite previously applying for the role that Jerry Sloan eventually secured, McCutchan viewed Walters' background in community college coaching as a shortcoming. The organization required a skilled individual who could quickly form a group to compete effectively. Walters...

We Will Rise Summary The enduring journey of the team into the NCAA tournament, coupled with the community's unwavering determination, defines their legacy.

Steve Beaven recounts the remarkable odyssey of the Aces, culminating in a nail-biting confrontation with Marquette University in the 1982 NCAA tournament. The game struck a chord with fans of the Aces, who saw the team as a symbol of the city's unyielding resilience.

The team known as the Aces embarked on an exhilarating and unforeseen quest to the 1982 NCAA tournament, where they put forth a surprising challenge against Marquette.

The Aces, who were novices at the Division I postseason level, encountered a closely fought battle in their opening game against Marquette. In the latter part of the game, UE mounted an impressive comeback, erasing a ten-point halftime lag, with Brad Leaf's offensive outburst playing a pivotal role. Leaf, despite a difficult beginning where he managed just one successful shot out of twelve in the first half, rallied to score sixteen points in the game's latter half. Leaf progresses to the forefront of the court. McKinstry gained control of the ball in the left corner. Rick's astute maneuver on the court resulted in Marquette incurring a foul. Marquette incurred a penalty for a violation of the rules. The announcer, Larry Calton, stated that...