Courtside: A Memoir of Life, Learning, Law & Purpose

Description

The reader will be introduced to a small-town community student, an all-county basketball star born in Southwest Philadelphia. In Courtside he takes you on a journey through his school days after a family move from Philly to Darby Township. He recalls the historical legal battle intertwined with racist policies geared to protect the rights and privileges of the Southeast Delco School District and Northern section of Darby Township, which eventually devastated the Darby Township Black Community. He digs deep recalling how his athleticism couldn't save him from repeating the third grade, and how assuming the role of class comedian helped him avoid a lot of the discomfort around him which included several untimely deaths. This is a coming-of-age story about a small-town boy who traveled throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, Pittsburgh, New York, Baltimore and Washington DC, chasing competitive basketball. Living in the moment he connected with several unique personalities whose experiences and views were deeply impactful such as doting grandparents who helped him piece himself back together physically and emotionally during fishing trips. We come to know a young man who would eagerly hit the road with few resources recognizing that new places, people and things would only broaden his horizons; but even this insight could not make him immune to immaturity and selfishness. You the reader will thoroughly enjoy accompanying Derick on his memorable journey.

Derick Loury, Prison Warden, with Courtside is retracing his footsteps to explore how he arrived at his current position in life. The purpose that God revealed in Derick's life was hidden in hallways of fear, disappointment and cultural dependency. It was exposed in the creases of life's twists and turns through admitted failures. He believes that his grandparents' strong faith innately influenced his desire to help others by giving back to his church, community and the criminal justice system. There were three crucial factors that set the stage for defining the author's purpose. The first was accepting Jesus Christ at an early age which opened him to receive purpose, grace and mercy. This was borne out with Derick's quest toward becoming be a loving, supportive and hardworking African American father, husband and professional. Next, earning a full basketball scholarship enabled him to gain knowledge, understanding, the importance of teamwork and exposure to a wide variety of people. Pledging into the noble Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., allowed him access into a relationship matrix that endears faith, opens a wealth of resources, protects information, shares intelligence and solidifies his purpose in God's kingdom. In all of these things he continues reap immeasurable blessings. In 20 seasons as Villanova's William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach, Jay Wright has guided the Wildcats to new heights, including NCAA national championships in 2016 and 2018. On May 16, 2021 it was announced that the 1983 Bucknell University graduate will be inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2021. Villanova has posted 233 victories in the past eight seasons, an average of 29.1 per year. In 2020-21 the Wildcats overcame three COVID pauses and a season-ending knee injury to co-BIG EAST Player of the Year Collin Gillespie to post an 18-7 overall record. Along the way, the Wildcats captured their seventh BIG EAST regular season crown since 2013 and were ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 every week of the '20-21 campaign. In January 2020 Wright was named the Associated Press men's college basketball Coach of the Decade. In 2017-18, the Wildcats amassed a school record 36 victories and secured Villanova's third NCAA national championship with a 79-62 victory over Michigan on April 2, 2018. Jalen Brunson became Villanova's first consensus National Player of the Year in the modern era, joining Paul Arizin as the only VU players to earn that distinction. In 2016, Villanova defeated North Carolina 77-74 when Kris Jenkins drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to cap a 35-5 campaign with an NCAA national title.