Courtside

Courtside, by Derick Loury, is an autobiography of the growth, development, and challenges of a man who has a rich range of experiences growing up—and after. Basketball is his passion in high school—and kind of a centering point for holding things in the rest of his life together. He is very inspired by basketball and a talented player, and with his techniques and diligence, is also sought after by coaches. Many of his friends and people who will help him later in life he meets through high school basketball. He goes away to college, on a basketball scholarship, but misses family and friends and does not connect with his first college, and though he's on the basketball team, the coach doesn't let him do much and he has no opportunity to shine as he did in high school. He transfers to another college, but soon his passion changes from basketball to a non-sports profession, which ends up being police work and then eventually a prison warden. His contacts from earlier stages in life, his sports buddies, his fraternity members—and his strong religious beliefs—help him and guide him toward fulfillment.

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.