The Bookstore will be hosting a book signing on Friday afternoon to promote Bethany Bradsher’s new novel, The Classic: How Everett Case and His Tournament Brought Big-Time Basketball to the South.
Bradsher is the author of several sports history books, including the biography of ECU baseball coach Keith LeClair and former Cincinnati player and Dixie Classic veteran Oscar Roberson.
She will be signing copies of her book, which will be on sale at the bookstore.
“I recommend it to any N.C . State fan,” Ben Van Ooyen , Online Ordering Manager for the Bookstore, said.
According to Van Ooyen , the Bookstore decided to host the event because the book is about the Dixie Classic, an integral part of the University’s history. The Classic was held at Reynolds Coliseum annually from 1949 to 1960, until the dissolution of the tournament due to a point shaving scandal in 1961. N.C . State won the tournament seven times. Everett Case, the University’s previous head coach, thought up the original idea for the Classic at the time.
“There’s all sorts of interesting stuff in it, like the building of Reynolds,” Van Ooyen said.
In addition, the book also addresses some of the key players over the years and the scandal that ended the tournament. It also takes a look at some of the racial issues during that time, as well as the effect the tournament had on race relations. During this time, many teams in the South were still segregated and were comprised of only white players.
“Historically, it’s part of the story when you talk about the Dixie Classic,” Bradsher said. “You have to consider that aspect when dealing with that part of history.”
Bradsher has written two other books, and was searching for her next topic when she heard about the tournament from a friend. Once finding out that nothing had been written on the topic recently, she decided to start on her book.
Although the tournament ended decades ago, previous generations are not the only ones that should be interested, according to Bradsher .
“Younger fans need to know about the Classic because it’s a big part of what NCSU is today,” Bradsher said.
There are some N.C . State students who are already well versed in the history of the classic, and are excited that a book has been written about it.
“I think that the Dixie Classic isn’t something a lot of students know about that is a big part of our history,” Will Graham, junior in agricultural engineering, said.
Other students who had not heard of the tournament or have only a vague idea of what it is are also excited to learn that about the book.
“It sounds pretty interesting. I would like to see how the book pertains to things like race relations,” Ivan Herrera, senior in political science and economics, said.
The book signing will take place from 5 until 9 p.m . and the bookstore will be offering a 10 percent off special during the event. Students are invited to come out, meet the author and pick up a book to learn more about the University’s rich history.
“I think it says a lot for our university that she wrote the book and is coming out to sign it and meet people,” Joe Furstenburg , sophomore in political science, said.
