Stories of Faith and Sacrifice

 We have been working for a decade on our Sports and Faith Series by Patrick McCaskey. And in some ways this series often reflects back on self sacrifice and giving. In 2019, we published our fourth book in the series called Worthwhile Struggle and then in 2020 we published our fifth, Sportsmanship. 

On the cover of Sportsmanship we include a famous photo of Papa Bear George Halas and Vince Lombardi. It hard to imagine two men who to better represent the struggle and hard work that went into the successful Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers football clubs. George Halas was also there in the early days of the NFL, helping to make it all work for generations to follow. It's not coincidental that both men were strong men of faith and they lived that way as well. 

On the cover of Worthwhile Struggle you will see Sister Jean of Loyola. It's hard to image a life more selflessly devoted to good than the life of a Catholic nun. Sister Jean was the team chaplain when the 2018 Ramblers went on the Final Four. And as she approached a century of living, she was asked to become a kind of media spokesman for the school. Confined to a wheel chair after a fall, Sister Jean was often wheeled out onto the stadium floor for "press conferences" and other events to help the school.  Decade after decade of service culminated in yet more service and sacrifice. 

Just as our parents and grandparents may have sacrificed and faced almost unfathomable hardships for their children, Sister Jean was out doing the same for "her Children" in Catholic Schools.  

At Sporting Chance Press, we continue to unapolgetically promote the good. 

2020 Sportsmanship

Our 2020 Sportsmanship is the most ambitious book in Patrick McCaskey’s popular Sports and Faith Series. The iconic cover photo of George Halas and Vince Lombardi says a lot about the book!

First, readers are treated to a wonderful Chicago Bears Calendar of historical events that celebrate one piece of Bears’ history for each day of the year. Facts surrounding many Bears’ players and their achievements are found here reflecting the hundred year history of the team. 

Next, individual chapters feature interesting stories, sports segments, personal reminiscences, faith experiences, and the author’s humorous musings. Reflecting the practice of classic sports journalist memoirs, McCaskey has frequently written about his favorite athletes and coaches. In Sportsmanship, the author adds a new twist to this practice by including a chapter on favorite writers who have inspired him. 

Perhaps a surprise for some readers will be the author’s chapter on biblical poems based on the four Gospels. Towards the end of the volume are McCaskey’s speeches that have been used at social and civil events, motivational presentations to churches and schools, and all types of occasions relating to his passion, the Chicago Bears.

As a Bears’ Vice President who is immersed in community outreach and personal charitable pursuits, McCaskey writes about many exceptional people that he has known along the way. Writing and speaking for many decades, the author is an athlete in his own right whose tastes in literature have influenced his career. McCaskey has always followed his grandfather George Halas’s advice to maintain a positive outlook. At the same time, readers will recognize his own enthusiasm for respecting those around him and taking time to smile and enjoy himself in his efforts.

Specifications: 

• Paperback : 368 pages
• ISBN-10 : 1734586303
• ISBN-13 : 978-1734586305
• Item Weight : 1.05 pounds
• Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.92 x 8.5 inches
• Publisher : Sporting Chance Press, Inc. (February 5, 2020)
• Price: $20, write publisher for quantity discounts. 

Sporting Chance Press Announces Publication of New Book: Poems About the Gospel

Poems About the Gospel features 150 short works written by Patrick McCaskey. Each poem provides the author's own take on an individual passage of one of the Evangelists that are often read at Mass and other Christian services. The poems reveal the thoughts and feelings of a modern man responding to the Gospel with faith, humility, and humor. The author’s poems remind us that the Christian faith is just as alive today as ever, and the inspired writings live alongside all our foibles and culture. The author’s sense of reality rushes in at unexpected times with a “time out” for humor. Readers are struck with all the author’s variety of thoughts that fall as they might, but never take away from the faith distilled. A 45+ year veteran and Vice President of the Chicago Bears, Patrick McCaskey is the grandson of founder George Halas. McCaskey has written many books on sports and faith. He serves as Chairman of Sports Faith International an initiative which recognizes people who are successful in sports while leading exemplary lives. The author also chairs WSFI Catholic Radio that broadcasts to northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin.