Bristol Central High School

On Tuesday, March 15, 2005, the outdoor sign posted at the main entrance to school read:

WELCOME HOME

ADRIAN WOJNAROWSKI

DISTINGUISHED ALUM

Adrian Wojnarowski, Class of 1987, author of the recently published book, The Miracle of St. Anthony: A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball's Most Improbable Dynasty, the first recipient of the Bristol Central High School Distinguished Alumni Award, had come home. Principal Dennis Siegmann made the presentation at the Power Breakfast for gifted and talented students. The award ceremony followed a number of tributes to the author including remarks by Tom Moylan, BCHS Varsity Baseball Coach; G. Gale Dickau, BCHS English & Writing teacher; Chris LaPlaca, VP Communications at ESPN; and Dan Hooley, BC Alumnus and fan.

Wojnarowski has received national recognition for his sports reporting and columns writing which can be traced from his humble beginnings as the sports editor of the BCHS school paper, Horizons, to his stint as editor of the St. Bonaventure University paper, and sports writing positions at the Waterbury (Connecticut) Republican, the Fresno (California) Bee, and the Bergen County (New Jersey) Record. His sports columns at the Record and his frequent pieces on ESPN.com and FAN Radio have twice earned him Associated Press Sports Editors’ number one columnist in the nation designation.

Wojnarowski wrote his book while shadowing the great Coach Bob Hurley through an incredible championship season with one of America’s most highly acclaimed high school basketball teams. The St. Anthony Friars are a band of inner city kids whose athletic prowess is second only to their commitment to succeed on life. Coach Hurley insists that every player be prepared for college and he has spent the greater part of 30 years guaranteeing that promise of college to every one of his players.

Wojnarowski’s book made its debut at #24 on the New York Times Best Seller list (non-fiction) on April 3. Since its publication, the film rights have been sold to the same production company that produced the films Philadelphia and Silence of the Lambs.

Following the breakfast and award presentation, 300 BCHS students enjoyed an assembly Question & Answer program with the author. There, Wojnarowski expressed his gratitude to the teaching staff at BCHS for giving him the skills and the confidence to follow his dreams. At a symposium held later that day, Wojnarowski read excerpts from the book to 20 of Bristol Central’s top student writers. He answered pointed questions about the nuts and bolts of selling a book proposal, hiring an agent, editing and publishing.

Following “Adrian Wojnarowski Day” at Bristol Central, the writer headed out to cover the NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament to be followed by a book tour. BC Quicklinks