“Since returning home, I read Faith in the Freshman for the second time.  I bought it in November when I was on campus and read it then.  I was so moved, I was almost speechless.  Now I’ve read it again and marval at what you’ve accomplished in telling this story so beautifully.  What a tribute to Tammy, your children and family!  What a way to honor a loving God who called you by name!

The title is so perfect on several levels.  I’m sure that’s the way you intended.  I liked the way you alternated chapters describing your experiences and Andrew’s.  I liked the candor you expressed and the trust you had in your readers to understand.  Not only was your prose a joy to read, but the feeling and experiences you described were so real.”

    from Donna Streufert

Part 2…


Part 3…

Finally, Part 4…

Concordia President, the Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry, has written a new book entitled Faith in the Freshman:  A Story of Hopes and Hoops.  In alternating chapters he discusses his own freshman experience , at St. John’s College — Winfield, which led him to become a Christian, and his son Andrew’s experience as a college freshman wanting to play Division I basketball and dealing with diabetes.

The book is an engrossing read (I had to wrest it from my wife’s hands in order to read it so I could write this review by deadline.)

Not only are the intertwining stories interesting, it’s fascinating to see how they are tied together and build on each other.  Dr. Ferry’s intense homesickness as he leaves for college comes through strongly, his personal strubbles as he tried to adapt to college life are intense and moving.  At the same time, Andrew’s strong desire to play basketball at a Division One institution as he learns to adapt his physical nature to the ravages of diabetes is equally engrossing.

This is the sort of book with which one can’t wait to turn the page to learn what’s next, the sort of book the reader wishes would not end, and, when it does, can’t wait for the sequel.  The relationship between father and son is powerful and loving and drives the story along.  The insights growing from that relationship are well worth reading about.

The book is now available –

Listen to the interview with the player below:

Andrew,

I just got done reading your Dad’s book.  My Dad brought me a copy when he was out here in Nebraska for homecoming a couple weeks ago.  Initially, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it since I thought I knew the story (I’ve heard your Dad’s speech about his freshman year and have been getting updates on your situation from Hannah).  However, after letting it sit on the shelf for a few days I picked it up and started reading the intro, and never put it down!  I’ve always had a great deal of respect for you as a ballplayer and a shooter, but now I have even more respect for you as a man!  God has blessed you with an incredible heart and passion for basketball, but it is also clear that he is and will continue to use you for so much more.  The way you battled and continue to battle diabetes head on is amazing, and nothing that I can even fathom.  Most would have used that as an excuse to lower expectations or give up on dreams, but it became just another obstacle (a really big one) that you figured out how to overcome and work through.  I think that’s awesome to say the least!

God has also blessed you with a very special dad and an incredible father/son relationship.  I think this book touched me so much because it kept reminding me of my relationship with my dad (and my Mom who was always there along the way, just like your dad’s mom was and how your mom is as well).  Going through the process of chasing dreams with your father right there all along the way is a unique thing, and the bond that results lasts forever – that can never be taken away!  Someday when you’re a dad you’ll get to experience the joys (and the ups and downs) from the other side of things as well.

My son Jimmy just turned 9 today.  I thought I was a driven athlete, but he’s crazy!  His main passion is baseball, and just yesterday I got home from work and he was outside hitting baseballs for about an hour and a half in rainy 32 degree weather!  Who does that???  In the summer I’ll pitch to him and he won’t stop swinging until his hand start blistering and bleeding – literally.  He also loves basketball and last summer he made 21 out of 25 three pointers in the driveway (on a 9 ft hoop with an intermediate sized ball, but still pretty impressive for an 8 year old).  He can beat me pretty consistently in HORSE already.  The two of us will be in for an interesting ride in the years to come, and I can only hope that – no matter what dreams he chooses to chase – he shows the kind of dedication, determination, and work ethic that have made you the player and person you are today!

So… I just wanted to let you know that I’m pulling for you, and more importantly I’m praying for you.  I’ll continue to get updates from Hannah on how things are going.

And by the way, I hit 37 threes in a row after a practice once, so I was ticked off to read that you blew my personal record away!!!!

God’s blessings!

Dr. J (Jr.)