Unless you have been living under a rock (which might be a decent idea all things considering), you know that multiple professional sports leagues have been suspended due to COVID-19. It is important to keep your mind active while practicing social distancing. Reading sports related books is not only a good way to pass the time but also make up for the lack of real time sports content.
- Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game
Starting out the list with a pretty well-known one. This book, written by Michael Lewis, follows the Oakland Athletics baseball team. It breaks how the team was managed despite the obstacles they faced. If you are someone into analytics and baseball, this is your book.
- Before the Lights Go Out
Sean Fitz-Gerald writes about the ever-growing problem in hockey: the cost of it. What was once a working man’s sport is now a luxury for many. The youth registration for hockey is reaching all time lows. Gerald uses an OHL team to tell the story of the challenges faced in this new age of hockey.
- Bear: The Hard Life and Good Times of Alabama’s Coach Bryant
What kind of UA student would I be if I did not include a book about Alabama football? Josh Underwood teams up with Coach Bryant himself for this autobiographical book. It follows the trials and tribulations on and off the field that led to Bryant’s status as an American football icon.
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
This takes a bit of turn from the rest of the books. It is not on the nose about sports but rather could be used to understand what makes athletes tick. Carol S. Dweck, after years of research, writes about the power of mindset and how it can influence our natural abilities. The beauty of this book is that it can be applied to not only sports, but your own life as well.
- Friday Night Lights
It would be right if I did not end this list with a classic. You’ve heard about the television show and movie, but have you read the book? H.G. Bissinger chronicles the highs and lows of high school football in Texas. This book will leave with clear eyes, and full hearts while stuck at home.
Unfinished Business 