about the book
Ed Thomas didn’t like the name Sacred Acre, but that’s what the whole town called the plot of land that was the Parkersburg, Iowa, high school football field.
Immediately after taking the job of coach, Ed declared the field off limits to everyone but his team. The band could play there during halftime but could not practice on the field. The track team could run around the field but the sprinters could not stretch on the grass. Woe to any student who thought of pranking on the field!
That acre was Ed’s baby. He mowed it, fertilized it, and bought a second-hand sprinkling system with his own money. When a dandelion grew on the fifty-yard line, a friend joked that Ed better yank the weed before dandelions spread to the whole “Sacred Acre”. The name stuck!
In May of 2008, an F-5 tornado struck the town, killing eight and leaving devastation. Ed declared that “’God willing, we will play our first home game here on this field this season.”
A hundred days later, the football team was victorious and, in winning, galvanized the whole town to band together and rebuild.
For thirty-four years, Ed Thomas was not only the town’s high school football coach but also a leader. He was determined to build fine young men, shaping their body, mind, soul, and spirit. For Ed, it was never about toughness or winning. It was about doing things the right way and never giving up.
How he coached, and how he treated his boys, and how he maintained the Sacred Acre influenced this town for three generations. Until one morning when one of Ed’s former students walked into the practice session and shot Ed point blank. Reeling from shock and mourning deeply, the people of tiny Parkersburg then did something hugely amazing.
They proved the power of forgiveness.
about the author
Mark Tabb calls himself the “intentionally unknown author.” He writes how-to, Christian, and inspirational books as well as novels.
He also helps others tell their own stories. He has written the memoirs of sports icons, film stars, and even poker players. So far, he has authored 26 books, many of them best sellers.
Mark grew up in Oklahoma and went to Criswell College. He dropped out twice and finally returned to graduate with honors after marrying his wife. Mark went on to serve as pastor for sixteen years in churches in Oklahoma and California, finally settling in Indiana. He has been married thirty years and he and his wife have five daughters and a granddaughter.
When he is not writing, he works with the local fire department. He not only serves as the chaplain, he gets in there elbow-to-elbow with his fellow fire fighters, battling the blazes and giving emergency aid.
Sources:
Author website
Author profile : Mahalo
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