Third Down and a War to Go: The All-American 1942 Wisconsin Badgers FROM THE PUBLISHER
Like Terry Frei's previous book, "Horns, Hogs, and Nixon Coming," his latest is a mix of history, storytelling, narrative journalism and sports. So it isn't easily typecast. But his exhaustive quest to find about his father's 1942 football team yielded a book that, while perhaps most resonant for readers with Wisconsin ties, will have an appeal that reaches far beyond those borders and affinities. This is about America in a time that has been deeply examined in our overdue renewed appreciation for a generation we are losing, but this tale of one football team-stars and famous, scrubs and relatively anonymous on one of college football's best teams of its era- works on its own as a new, deeply researched and well-told tale. In particular, the climactic material about the Battle of Okinawa and the role of several Badgers in it should tug at hearts.
SYNOPSIS
The 1942 Wisconsin Badgers were a terrific football team. As young
men of that era, they were extraordinary, yet typical. Among other reasons,
thatﾽs why theirs is an All-American story.
The ﾽ42 Badgers had a host of individual stars, including two-time
All-American end Dave Schreiner, fullback Pat Harder, and halfback Elroy
ﾽCrazylegsﾽ Hirsch. Their coach was the stubborn and respected Harry
Stuhldreher, best known as the one-time quarterback of Notre Dameﾽs Four
Horsemen. In the final-fling atmosphere typical on college campuses as the first
year of U.S. involvement in World War II was winding down, the Badgers climbed
their way up the rankings and ultimately became one of the greatest college
football teams of all time.
Stars and benchwarmers alike knew that each game brought them closer
to military service. The Badgers scattered into the various branches and around
the world shortly after the season. Not all were asked to be heroic in battle,
but many were, and they answered the challenge. Not all of them returned, and
the circumstances of at least one battle death have been shrouded in mystery for
six decades.
Author Terry Frei is the son of 1942 Badgers guard Jerry Frei, a
decorated P-38 fighter pilot who went on to a long career in college football
and the National Football League. After Jerry Freiﾽs 2001 death, his son set out
on a mission of discovery, wanting to learn about the men in the team picture
that hung in a place of honor in his fatherﾽs den. Through exhaustive research
and interviews with the remaining Badgers, their families, and combat comrades,
Terry Frei tells the often heart-wrenching story of this band of brothers,
describing their successes and losses both on the football field and in service
to their country.
FROM THE CRITICS
Jay Greenberg - New York Post
Tirelessly researched and relentlessly touching. The true allegory of football and war, minus the cliches.
Robert B. Rennebohm - Wisconsin end (1942, 46-47), Marine lieutenant (1943-45), and long-time head of the University of Wisconsin Foundation
Terry Frei has done a superb job of researching and writing to bring us the true spirit and similarity of our military services, particularly the U.S. Marines, and college football. He vividly follows the 1942 Wisconsin Badgers, who so soon after their gridiron exploits were the losers of life and limb. Events of over sixty years ago seem to have been frozen in time as Frei takes us back to the glory days of so many young Americans.
Rick Morrissey - Chicago Tribune
Terry Frei has captured the spirit of a different time in this country, a time of faith in school and in country, a time of intense loyalty to teammate and fellow soldier. Third Down and a War to Go tells the story of one University of Wisconsin football team during World War II. But to limit the tale to that is like saying Angela's Ashes is about Ireland. This book brings to life, in shades of black and blue and blood red, the idea that certain things are worth fighting for.
ACCREDITATION
Terry Frei writes for The Denver Post and ESPN.com. His previous book was the acclaimed "Horns, Hogs, and Nixon Coming" (2002). Frei was raised in Eugene, Oregon. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado, with degrees in history and journalism, and is vice chairman of the CU history department advisory board. He wrote for The Denver Post and The Oregonian in Portland before joining The Sporting News in 1993. His TSN cover stories included pieces on Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Thurman Thomas and Shaquille O'Neal. He rejoined The Denver Post in 1995, and also began writing columns for ESPN.com in 2000. His newspaper and ESPN.com focus usually is the National Hockey League, which he began covering as a young beat writer in 1977.
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