Embrace the Hard

A Season with the North Carolina Tar Heels Women’s Basketball Team

By Mitchell Northam | Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

About the book

Three decades have passed since the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s basketball team won a national championship, and it hasn’t been to a Final Four since 2007. Then, in 2019, Hall of Fame coach Sylvia Hatchell resigned amid a scandal. To replace her, UNC lured Courtney Banghart away from Princeton to rebuild the program and restore its national prominence. The 2023–2024 season was the story of a team at a crossroads: Would Banghart’s ambitions fizzle? Or would the Tar Heels get a taste of their former glory?

To document the moment, Coach Banghart allowed sports reporter Mitchell Northam unfettered access to the Tar Heels for an entire season. He spent countless hours with the fifteen players, the six coaches, the staff members, and others in practices at Carmichael Arena, in the weight room, on the road, in hotel lobbies, and more. Embrace the Hard tells the story of a talented team hungry for glory and a coach determined to get them there, grappling with the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.

Editions of Embrace the Hard

Paperback
ISBN 9781469694726
EBook
ISBN 9781469688275
PDF
ISBN 9781469694733

Read an Excerpt

Three decades have passed since the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s basketball team won a national championship, and it hasn’t been to a Final Four since 2007. Then, in 2019, Hall of Fame coach Sylvia Hatchell resigned amid a scandal. To replace her, UNC lured Courtney Banghart away from Princeton to rebuild the program and restore its national prominence. The 2023–2024 season was the story of a team at a crossroads: Would Banghart’s ambitions fizzle? Or would the Tar Heels get a taste of their former glory?

To document the moment, Coach Banghart allowed sports reporter Mitchell Northam unfettered access to the Tar Heels for an entire season. He spent countless hours with the fifteen players, the six coaches, the staff members, and others in practices at Carmichael Arena, in the weight room, on the road, in hotel lobbies, and more. Embrace the Hard tells the story of a talented team hungry for glory and a coach determined to get them there, grappling with the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Embrace the Hard about?

Three decades have passed since the North Carolina Tar Heels women’s basketball team won a national championship, and it hasn’t been to a Final Four since 2007. Then, in 2019, Hall of Fame coach Sylvia Hatchell resigned amid a scandal. To replace her, UNC lured Courtney Banghart away from Princeton to rebuild the program and restore its national prominence. The 2023–2024 season was the story of a team at a crossroads: Would Banghart’s ambitions fizzle? Or would the Tar Heels get a taste of their former glory?

To document the moment, Coach Banghart allowed sports reporter Mitchell Northam unfettered access to the Tar Heels for an entire season. He spent countless hours with the fifteen players, the six coaches, the staff members, and others in practices at Carmichael Arena, in the weight room, on the road, in hotel lobbies, and more. Embrace the Hard tells the story of a talented team hungry for glory and a coach determined to get them there, grappling with the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Embrace the Hard?

Sports and Active outdoor recreation > Ball sports / ball games > Basketball

Where can I read a sample of Embrace the Hard?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469694726

How long is Embrace the Hard and how many pages does it have?

Embrace the Hard has 240 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Embrace the Hard?

Mitchell Northam

Who is the Publisher of the book Embrace the Hard?

The University of North Carolina Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Embrace the Hard is available as paperback(ISBN 9781469694726) and ebook(ISBN 9781469688275) and pdf(ISBN 9781469694733)

Where can I buy Embrace the Hard online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Embrace the Hard from below

Where can I buy Embrace the Hard?