From The First Brick: It Changed My Life: A Review
In his memoir, ‘From The First Brick: It Changed My Life,’ we follow the story of Lew
Shaver, as he finds himself a pivotal piece in the creation of The Broncos, SMSU’s (then SSU)
wheelchair basketball team, and the growth of collegiate wheelchair sports. In his words, Shaver expresses the good times, bad times and everywhere in between. He does it with such a genuine small-town charm that seeps with passion and good memories.
Throughout his memoir he has past players and adjacent people write about their time as a Bronco or as fans of the team. Shaver provides the history of Southwest Minnesota, like the origin of Rolle Bolle, and, obviously, the history of Wheelchair sports as SMSU. The way he weaves personal anecdotes, history and players letters gives the memoir a constant sense of movement and keeps it interesting. It’s refreshing to read the genuine thankfulness and gratitude that Shaver has for everyone who was involved in the creation and the maintaining of Wheelchair sports.
The book also has an underlying theme of inclusion and understanding, having complete sections devoted to players with handicaps to tell how they have been treated and how to treat people with disabilities.
The refreshing nature of this book is a treat, to be able to read and casually learn about the struggles of Shaver and his journey to becoming the Bronco’s first head coach of people with disabilities. If you are looking for a laugh or to learn more about the history of Southwest Minnesota and one of the few collegiate wheelchair basketball teams in the country, you’re in luck because this book has both and deserves a read.
'From The First Brick: It Changed My Life' by Lew Shaver, Available in the MAFAC Gift Shop.
Reviewed by Tristan Primus
Shaver, as he finds himself a pivotal piece in the creation of The Broncos, SMSU’s (then SSU)
wheelchair basketball team, and the growth of collegiate wheelchair sports. In his words, Shaver expresses the good times, bad times and everywhere in between. He does it with such a genuine small-town charm that seeps with passion and good memories.
Throughout his memoir he has past players and adjacent people write about their time as a Bronco or as fans of the team. Shaver provides the history of Southwest Minnesota, like the origin of Rolle Bolle, and, obviously, the history of Wheelchair sports as SMSU. The way he weaves personal anecdotes, history and players letters gives the memoir a constant sense of movement and keeps it interesting. It’s refreshing to read the genuine thankfulness and gratitude that Shaver has for everyone who was involved in the creation and the maintaining of Wheelchair sports.
The book also has an underlying theme of inclusion and understanding, having complete sections devoted to players with handicaps to tell how they have been treated and how to treat people with disabilities.
The refreshing nature of this book is a treat, to be able to read and casually learn about the struggles of Shaver and his journey to becoming the Bronco’s first head coach of people with disabilities. If you are looking for a laugh or to learn more about the history of Southwest Minnesota and one of the few collegiate wheelchair basketball teams in the country, you’re in luck because this book has both and deserves a read.
'From The First Brick: It Changed My Life' by Lew Shaver, Available in the MAFAC Gift Shop.
Reviewed by Tristan Primus
