Bill snyder: they said it couldn’t be done

I recently finished reading “Bill Snyder: They Said it Couldn’t Be Done” and thought it a noteworthy recommendation.

This book is a narrative about one of the greatest turnaround stories in college football told through a personal interview with the man that made it happen.

I grew-up in Manhattan,KS (home of K-State) at a time when the wildcats were consistently ranked at the bottom of the NCAA. So, my childhood memories consist of going to home games at an almost empty stadium and getting excited if we won a game (any game).

Then in 1989 things started to change. We didn’t know it at the time, but what would happen over the next 17 years would not only reform a football team and a university, but would revitalize an entire community. Needless to say this book touches a bit of a personal cord with me as it recounts some of the events that impacted my own life.  

A warning for the non-football junky, this thing is chalked full of stats and game talk. However, underneath the numbers is the story about how Bill Snyder’s vision, fortitude, management principles and unwavering expectations accomplished near miracles to create one of the best football programs in national history.

It goes on to get Snyder’s own perspective on the key events that shaped the program. A couple of my personal favorites: K-States first big win over Nebraska in 1998 and curb stomping #1 ranked OU in the Big 12 Championship in 2003. It finishes with an emotional and insightful look at the events ultimately leading up to his retirement decision at the end of the 2005 season.

This book is a good read for any manager, leader, coach, teacher, or anyone with an eye on making yours or others worlds a little better.

With the right vision, attitude, accountability and focus anything can be done.

-Chris