An Evening with Michael Eck

Join us in welcoming Michael Eck for a book signing and discussion full of inspiring stories, laughs, and football! Join us at the Beavercreek Books&Co for a special evening with debut author Michael Eck as we celebrate the release of his powerful new memoir, Strike Season. Part Friday Night Lights, part real-life survival story, Strike Season tells the true story of a high school football team forced to coach themselves during a teachers’ strike—resulting in an unforgettable season defined by resilience, leadership, and high-stakes pressure. Michael will take the stage for a moderated conversation (moderator TBA!), followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. While tickets are not required, we encourage you to RSVP to ensure you have a seat. For the best experience, we recommend pre-purchasing your copy of Strike Season through Eventbrite for easy pickup at check-in. Whether you’re a football fan or love an inspiring true story, this is a can’t-miss opportunity to hear from an exciting new voice in sports nonfiction. Friday Night Lights meets Lord of the Flies in this unforgettable true story of a high school football team that banded together when a teacher's strike left them without coaches. Michael Eck had always been captivated by his father's love of Notre Dame football. Now, they were recruiting him to play quarterback. But just two games into his high school senior season, his teachers went on strike, and the coaches followed. With the season canceled and their college dreams in jeopardy, Michael and his three co-captains had a daring idea: What if we coached ourselves? Secretly thinking this gave them leverage in negotiations with the union, the school board shockingly agreed. Facing the roar of picket lines and corralling adrenaline-charged teammates, the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils became more than symbols of defiance--they were unwitting pawns in an adults' game. Every play carried weight; every practice and victory risked unraveling into chaos. And as scouts watched and headlines chronicled their season, Michael and his teammates navigated the unprecedented responsibility of holding the team together, winning without coaches, and chasing their dreams. Strike Season is a poignant memoir about the lengths young people will go to achieve their dreams in the face of overwhelming odds. It is also the story of a boy desperate to make his father proud, a coach wrestling with his loyalties, and a young social studies teacher fighting for his union. At once thrilling and inspiring, Strike Season captures a moment in sports history when youth and courage collide, forever changing a group of young men and the game they loved. Michael Eck is a founder of the nonprofit STEER for Student Athletes, which provides mentorship support to high school student athletes from challenging circumstances. Proceeds from book sales will be donated to Steer. He was interim CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village and had a forty-year career on Wall Street. He holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a BS from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, where he played quarterback on the football team and was an Academic All American. To learn more about Michael visit his website at http: //www.michaeleckauthor.com/.