When Basketball Was a Game

In Hempstead, New York, a basketball coach knew the real game was survival.In 1961, an eighteen-year-old from Hempstead, New York stepped into an unexpected role: founding coach of a brand-new Salvation Army basketball program. His name was Don Ryan—and his journey was just beginning.For over six decades, Ryan used his influence as a teacher, coach, and local politician to make a difference. His mantra, “Carry the books as well as the ball,” reminded every player that education and character came first. His steady leadership helped shape pro athletes, business leaders, and community role models, leaving a legacy that reached far beyond basketball.During his remarkable career, Hempstead’s teams captured three National Championships and amassed more than 3,000 victories. Yet it wasn’t the trophies that mattered most. It was the lessons in sportsmanship, discipline, perseverance, and hope that forever changed the course of countless young lives. This book is a celebration of a man who turned basketball into a force for hope and transformation. Read more