Football Symphony

A Football Symphony-Four Championship Seasons of Curtis Viking Football tracks the journey of four state championship football teams (1989, 1990, 1995, and 1996) from Curtis High School in Washington State. It includes the ups and downs of each season, the dramatic wins, and how each team responded to its one loss. Identifying the foundational values upon which the football program was built, the book traces how commitment to excellence led to continuous improvement, how trust led to buy-in and ownership by players and coaches, and how caring led to an expanded and unified sense of community. The commitment to excellence provided the vision and guiding purpose for the team. Trust provided the relational foundation for coaches and players to work together, united in purpose. Caring created the connectedness and sense of community that empowered the players to live for a purpose greater than themselves. Examples of continuous improvement can be seen in how each of the four teams responded to adversity. Each team had one loss, and each time, the team responded with a convincing victory. The four Curtis teams demonstrated the ability to put together their best efforts in big games, including state championship games. Examples of buy-in and ownership are illustrated by numerous examples of proactive leadership exhibited by players. Examples of a caring, fostering community include a student at Curtis who was four feet six inches and weighed only 49 pounds, yet he became a contributing member of the team. The authors, who coached together at Curtis High School, have 60 years combined coaching experience, including 40 years head coaching experience. Based upon their experience, the book shows how a team can be successful and how a coach builds a winning program, from the physical and mental components of the game to program organization and philosophy. The authors also share the defensive and offensive principles that helped Curtis be successful. These insights would be of assistance to any aspiring football coach and of interest to any football fan. This book is both an entertaining story of four great teams, each of which won a state championship, and an instructional guide on how to build a successful football program.I would recommend this book as a blueprint for success to be read by coaches at all levels.-Willie Stewart,Former Assistant Superintendent and former High School Principal in Tacoma School DistrictThis book is an informative and insightful review of the Curtis High School Football program from 1989 through the mid-1990s and the road to four WIAA state championship seasons. A must-read if you support or coach high school football.-Dave Lutes,Former Head Football Coach of Kentwood High School and former District Athletic Director for the Kent Public SchoolsThis book is more than just a history of Curtis High School and its winning football program-it's a blueprint for building a championship culture. In these pages, Bob Lucey and Don Lichty reveal the principles and strategies that shaped Curtis's remarkable success. I hope this book offers you valuable insights and ideas to apply to your own life and coaching journey. It's a testament to the power of leadership, dedication, and character-qualities that Bob Lucey and his staff exemplify so well.-Mike Price,Former Washington State University Head Football CoachThe memories of four magical football seasons come flooding back in the pages of A Football Symphony-Four Championship Seasons of Curtis Viking Football.-Ron Newberry,Former Sportswriter and Copy Editor for The Tacoma News Tribune