Leveling the Playing Field: The Story of the Syracuse 8 (Sports and Entertainment) Hardcover – July 22, 2015

As a freshman on the Syracuse campus in the fall of 1970, it is a gross understatement to say that I was mature enough to understand and analyze what was going on around me. Alot of the underlying information about the issues and the individuals described in this book were not necessarily open to the public, or available to us to assess in a nonbiased way. Furthermore, with the Vietnam war going strong, and the culteral times being what they were, I believe alot of us in college at the time were struggling to understand the passion and dynamics of the times. This book, which started out a little dry, turned into one very quickly which I found I could not put down. It covered some of the athletic history of Syracuse, from the race integration and relation point of view, and was quite informative. My review cannot do this book justice.These men were impressive individuals, each in his own right, and were not the stereotype militants one might have assumed them to be at thetime, based on public perception. It covered what they went through during what started out as their boycott of 1970 football spring practice, and turned into thier being blackballed (to say the least). It also covers their comments and reflections now, looking back with the wisdom from living the past 40 + years , on those times, the ramifications, and how played out .

I liked that it told the story of the Syracuse 8 in great details. It is a tragic story but a necessary one to remind people that we must know our history in order to not repeat it.

Extremely satisfied with the book and expeditious handling Thsnk You

Good read about young, talented college students willing to sacrifice personal gain for the common good. Revealing look at a tyrannical, and yes racist coach that history is reticent to designate as so.

Heartfelt story, to read what those educated and talented young men had to go through just to be treated equally as whites. Civil rights movements CAN NEVER STOP in this country. Thanks to all you guys for not giving up on yourself and the impact you made for the future generations I think this book should be required reading in schools/ at least suggestive reading. Long over due story to be told special thanks to the author David Marc for writing such a well written book.

This was an excellent historical account of the Syracuse 8. I can easily see this as a movie! Well written with deep and moving insights.

Very readable and compelling story of personal courage. An important account of a largely forgotten events that changed the face of collegiate coaching and sports.

Excellent! Great Read! David Marc did an excellent job of research and historical connections! Young student athletes as change agents for the betterment of society!