Westport Writer and Soccer Coach Dan Woog Speaks About His New Book Dec. 5

For 30 years as an award-winning Staples High School and youth soccer coach, Dan Woog has seen it all. He has learned what makes teenagers tick and, through the process of teaching them, has learned a lot about himself. His new book, “We Kick Balls: True Stories from the Youth Soccer Wars,” is as much about society as about sports and will interest anyone who has teenagers or works with them.

Hear Woog talk about his book on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Westport Library’s McManus Room. Books will be available for signing and purchase at the event, which is free and open to the public.

There’s more to life than soccer,” says Woog. “And there’s more to soccer than soccer. “We Kick Balls” is a book about kids, life, and everything that happens to all of us, on and off the field.” He has forged lifelong bonds over the years with many young athletes who have been tested by many hurdles as well as too many deaths.

Also a writer and educator, Woog was named head soccer coach at Staples High School in 2003 and, in his first nine years, led the Wreckers to four league championships and one state title. He has been named national Coach of the Year and has been inducted into Connecticut’s Soccer Hall of Fame.

A graduate of Brown University, Woog has been published in The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today, and is the author of 17 books, including the “Jocks” series and a local history, “Staples High School: 120 Years of A+ Education.” His athletes are most impressed by the fact that he has appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He blogs daily about life in his hometown at 06880danwoog.com.

For more information, phone the library at (203) 291-4800, or visit them online at westportlibrary.org.