Bøger af Rick Birk

The year was 1963, and little Dodgeville High School captured the state of Wisconsin's imagination with an improbable run to the state championship game under Coach John "Weenie" Wilson. The hard-driving coach was on a mission to nurture and build a class of champions, building on his own background of being a highly accomplished athlete and motivator. Wilson took a group of gifted and dedicated student-athletes, indoctrinated with small-town values, and put them on a course that lifted the Dodgeville basketball program to undreamed-of heights. In an era when every school in Wisconsin competed in a single division, Dodgeville - with just 400 students - found itself matched up against schools more than four times its size as it made its state tournament run. Dodgeville would come up one victory short of the title in 1963, taking home the silver ball for the school's trophy case. However, Wilson and his players had no intention of being a one-hit wonder, and when the 1963-64 basketball season began, they had only one goal in mind: getting that gold ball. The Dodgers cruised through the regular season unbeaten and incredibly found themselves as one of the tournament favorites when they returned to Madison for the state finals. This time, against a vaunted Milwaukee North squad, the Dodgers would not be denied. Wisconsin had its own, real version of the Hoosiers story, and the Dodgeville Dodgers of 1964 had staked their claim to history.

Adam Evans always felt he was a little different, although he never could put his finger on exactly why. One thing was for certain: struggling with the paralyzing anxiety disorder known as agoraphobia didn't help matters any. There had to be more to this irrational fear than simple psychological malaise.In his quest to overcome this disability, Adam would delve deep into his own mind and discover a connection buried deep beneath generations of angst. He would learn more about himself - and the link to a dark chapter in American history - than he ever could have imagined.

As the matriarch of a Midwestern family that featured eleven children, Dorothy Wiencek was in the rare position of imparting wisdom, values and deep faith on a great many people lucky enough to experience her unconditional love. In a touching tribute to his mother-in-law, author Rick Birk relates Dorothy's extraordinary life of devotion and service to God and family in this inspirational memoir.With shepherd-like guidance, Dorothy paved a spiritual path for others to follow on their own journey to salvation. Dorothy's unwavering belief in God enabled her to overcome life's obstacles with uncommon grace and humility, leaving a legacy of generosity that serves as an example for generations to come.

Nicole Harris didn't have many of the advantages enjoyed by other girls in the highly competitive world of junior tennis. She didn't have a private tennis court or the latest equipment, and her family certainly couldn't afford private coaching since her father passed away. Even paying entry fees to compete in weekend tournaments was a stretch. But the seventh grader had an ace in her pocket that money couldn't buy, and that was an unfailing belief in herself that overpowered any perceived challenges by the outside world. Fueled by the support of her family, friendships with other competitors and guidance from a surrogate father figure, Nicole would ride her positive attitude and passion for tennis to achievements she had only dreamed about. "Birk, an Academy graduate, serves an ace with this exciting and inspiring tale of a young tennis player's struggles and triumphs, and her unwavering love for the game. Love Must Mean Something is truly motivating and fun. It will encourage generations of athletes to strive for their best, no matter what the competition, the obstacles or the outcome. Athletes and sports enthusiasts alike will enjoy this read and hopefully, as the character Nicole did, discover the competitor and dreamer that lies within."-United States Sports Academy

When Rick Riley accepted an offer to play basketball at Lakefield College, he couldn't know the effect that decision would have on the rest of his life. Riley and his recruiting classmates formed friendships that would outlive their playing careers, transcending the hardwood that brought them together to shape the men they would become.Guided by Lavern Lubinski, their outstanding coach and mentor, the "Magnificent Seven" learned the value of love, respect, dedication and good, old-fashioned hard work. Their story, as told by author Rick Birk, illustrates how striving toward common goals and treasuring relationships generates success in the short term and integrity for the long term.

Have you ever been haunted by a dream that challenged you to discover its true meaning? Or wondered if your dream holds a message from a long-lost friend or departed loved one? You're not alone. Dreams are among the most intriguing and mysterious of human experiences, offering a complex collection of memories, symbols and random images.Author Rick Birk takes you through a captivating tale of dreams that offers an educating and entertaining look at their hidden meanings. You will gain insight into the breadth of the dream world and how you can leverage it for your own development.The story centers on a man who has been touched by a spiritual message he received in a dream. Join in the resulting quest to discover the meaning of his dream, and begin your own journey to personal enlightenment.

How could a simple turtle shell be the catalyst to strength, abundance, and prosperity? How can we hope to understand the workings of our vast world of business? It would be an impossible feat to acquaint you with all aspects of such enterprise in one book. However, this book will paint with a broad brush the components most essential to business and financial literacy. These elements will, in turn, provide you a wide-ranging financial vision in hopes of securing a clear, successful path to your future. "Rick Birk's Business Cents should be a primer on financial literacy for every high school student. Covering real life knowledge such as accounting basics; understanding how the real estate market works; navigating all of the various types of insurance available; to what it means to budget vs. finance. Business Cents is a great resource for preparing any young person just staring out in life for the ins and outs of adulthood. I wish I had come across this book when I was younger. Mr. Birk's writing style is engaging and he provides practical examples and stories that help bring to life the concepts he's exploring."-Kim Graham, Executive Director, Arizona Educational Foundation.