The Yellow Sports Bra: A True Story of Love, Faith, and Basketball

Product Description

Six years after experiencing what a boys’ state basketball championship did for her small prairie town on the Montana Hi-Line, Jamie Graham, fourteen years old, embarks on her own journey to bring that joy and excitement back to her town. Jim—Jamie’s dad and respected teacher and coach—coached the boys’ championship team and inspires her to choose the goal of winning State. Jim’s unwavering belief in Jamie provides her with confidence and motivation to persevere—no matter the obstacle.
When Jamie begins her high school basketball career as a freshman, Coach VanDyke pushes Jamie and her teammates to become the best players and team possible. She promises that practicing the discipline that high school athletics demands will teach them not only what it means to be good players, but good people and leaders who will contribute positively to the world.
Through her four-year high school journey, and together with her teammates, Jamie experiences the exhilaration of winning, the agony of defeat, and the complicated layers of love, friendship, and grief. She learns what it really takes to set and achieve goals, all while navigating adolescence and high school with its inevitable confusion, heartbreak, and the highs and lows that produce powerful life lessons.

Review

Jamie’s great storytelling brought back very special memories of growing up in small-town Montana as a coach’s son. Jamie does an unbelievable job helping us realize how many life lessons we learn from high school athletics, and how much pride and energy sports bring to these communities. –Tim Hauck, Philadelphia Eagles safeties coach
In the great tradition of diaries translated to books, Jamie Graham Duprey’s The Yellow Sports Bra is not only a vicarious thrill for those in love with small-town basketball and small-town life, but also a deep reminder of what these fast-disappearing cultures have to offer the world at large: a sense of community, faith, courage, interdependence, and strength in numbers. –Philip Aaberg, Grammy-nominated composer
Duprey’s delightful memoir is a nostalgic look into small-town sports. Her honest, engaging, and often humorous voice takes the reader on a moving, exuberant, lighthearted adolescent journey. Anyone who recalls and cherishes “small-town” life, athletics, love, and friendship should greatly enjoy this book! –Alan K. Simpson, former US senator (WY)
Jamie Duprey depicts a powerful story focused on her love of basketball, her team, and her community. This story will describe to young athletes the importance of work ethic, grit, and teamwork. The pride of small-town sports and small-town living resonates in this amazing story. –Linda VanDyke, coach, entrepreneur, fitness instructor
This book is such a great read. Jamie tells a real story of the teamwork, identity, character-building, and life experiences shared by thousands of young athletes who have grown up in small-town America, like Chester. –Casey FitzSimmons, rancher, former NFL player for the Detroit Lions
This story will resonate with anyone who played a sport. I found myself smiling, nodding, and even cringing as I recalled similar experiences to those artfully described in the book. The book highlights the beauty and value of sports, friendships, and life lessons in the context of small-town Montana. –Greta Koss, coach, former WNBA player
Jamie Duprey paints an inspiring picture of small-town pride and commitment toward an ultimate goal of winning a state championship. Duprey’s memoir will give you an understanding of what sports means to tight-knit communities and the positive effects they have on them. Her story reminds us that lifelong relationships along the journey are the ultimate prize! –Mick Durham, men’s head basketball coach, MSU Billings
Small-town basketball breeds small-town character. Jamie Duprey’s heartwarming story of life, grief, and victory reminds us all of the treasure of youth sports. –Sherry Winn, two-time US Olympian, NC