Heart of a Champion

Heart of a Champion: The Life and Legacy of Coach Bill Freeman remembers a great coach and an even greater man. Filled with memories both humorous and poignant from family, former players, coaches, colleagues, and friends, Heart of a Champion chronicles the life and career of Kansas high school teacher and coaching legend, Bill Freeman, one of the winningest high school football coaches in Kansas history. A demanding, relentless, success-driven coach on the field, Bill was known and loved off the field for his big heart and genuine care and concern for his players and students.A true renaissance man, Bill not only coached football and track, he also farmed over three thousand acres, owned a bank, and served as mayor of Leroy, Kansas for twenty-one years. Lover of history and nature, Bill was a conservationist, historian, and environmentalist, but most importantly, he was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Heart of a Champion also sheds light on Bill Freeman's battle with Alzheimer's and his daughter Jennifer's painful struggle as she watched her hero decline and eventually succumb to this deadly disease. In a world darkened by much division, we can all learn a little something from this Kansas high school football coach who saw the very best in everyone, believed that everyone should have a fair shot, and lived his life putting others before himself. Overflowing with loving tributes to Bill, Heart of a Champion proves that one man's legacy can live on long after his death and that one person truly can make a difference in the world.