New book tells remarkable story with local connection

A new book tells the remarkable story of the pursuit of Olympic Gold and the story includes an unexpected – and pivotal – stop in San Juan County.
If Gold is Our Destiny, How a Team of Mavericks Came Together For Olympic Glory, was published this month by Rowman and Littlefield.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, the story of the United State Mens National Volleyball team was a story of high potential and low outcome.
The team was able to make a remarkable turnaround, due in part to a three-week 100-mile trek through the San Juan County wilderness in the dead of a snowy winter.
The trek started at Dalton Springs, and traveled along North Creek, Skyline Trail, Ducketts Cabin, Causeway, Chippean Rocks, North Long Point, Beef Basin, and Canyonlands National Park.
Approximately 18 months later, the team claimed the gold medal in the 1984 Summer Games, triggering a renaissance for volleyball.
Now, nearly 40 years later, the United States has claimed numerous Olympic and World Titles, including the most recent women’s gold medal in the Toyko Olympics. That team was coached by Karch Kiraly, a member of the 1984 team.
Author Sean Murray and Upward Bound Director Peter O’Neill were guests on the July 19 edition of the Redrock Morning Show on Redrock 92.7 FM.
You can listen to the interview on the Redrock Morning Show podcast at redrock92.com.
The book provides fascinating history, tells a great sports story, gives remarkable insights into sports psychology, and is a great summer read.
If Gold is Our Destiny can be found at book sellers, including the San Juan Record Bookstore in Monticello. Call, email, or drop by to reserve your copy.