Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Leftovers: Baylor, Betrayal, and Beyond by Matt Sayman with David L Thomas

About the Book

Book: The Leftovers: Baylor, Betrayal, and Beyond

Authors: Matt Sayman with David L. Thomas

Genre: Religion/Christian Living/Inspirational

Release date: February 22, 2022

As a young boy, Matt Sayman dreamed of playing pro basketball. His family believed in his vision, even agreeing to move to Texas when one of Matt’s favorite coaches left Pennsylvania for the Lone Star State.

Matt eventually received a full athletic scholarship from Baylor University. He was only six-feet-four but what he lacked in height, he made up for in skill and positive attitude.

Then the summer before his senior year, the bottom fell out of Matt’s world. A player went missing…and was found dead. A teammate was the murder suspect. A coach was accused of paying players under the table. Some players had received drug-free urine samples to pass off as their own. And through it all, Matt was supposed to be the glue who held the Baylor basketball team together.

In The Leftovers: Baylor, Betrayal, and Beyond, Matt shares his personal story of dealing with the fallout after tragedy and trouble nearly sank Baylor’s program. Matt was senior co-captain, but with a short-manned team of leftover players, there was no way to have a winning season, no way some talent scout would take a chance on him.

Matt’s hope and faith were shaken because of the scandals that summer. His post-Baylor years included a DWI, a difficult divorce, and broken relationships. Matt struggled to find peace. On his thirtieth birthday, just a few days after a deep conversation with his pastor, Matt said goodbye to alcohol and surrendered his life to God.

This book tells the story of Matt’s personal redemption—but it is also a story of the redemption of Baylor University’s men’s basketball program. Matt’s team with a young new head coach forged the Baylor team that won the 2021 NCAA men’s basketball championship.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Matt Sayman received a full athletic scholarship to play basketball at Baylor University from 2000–2004. After remaining with the program following a shocking scandal in the off-season before his senior year, Matt broke the Baylor career record for games played (118). He then played professional basketball in Iceland, winning the Icelandic championship for Njardvik in 2005.

Matt is currently the varsity basketball coach at Grapevine Faith Christian School in Texas, where he has led his team to the state semifinals the past two seasons. He enjoys inspiring young athletes with a message of “no magic”—just hard work, dedication, and a determination to work harder than the next guy.

Matt also serves as director of events for MGBasketball camps, where he is known for his ability to connect and inspire young athletes to give their best and improve each day.

He hosts JAMODI (Just A Matter Of Doing It) podcast, in which he interviews coaches and leaders to explore the reasons behind their successes.

Matt and his wife Jana live near Fort Worth, Texas, with their two sons.

* * *

David L. Thomas is the author or cowriter of more than a dozen books. He collaborated on two New York Times bestsellers: Wrestling for My Life with Shawn Michaels and Foxcatcher with Mark Schultz. He also cowrote All In with Gene Chizik, a Wall Street Journal national bestseller, and SEAL of God with Chad Williams, with more than 100,000 books in print.

David worked thirty years in sports journalism, beginning at age thirteen as a sportswriter. He spent more than twenty years combined in the national award-winning sports departments of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Dallas Morning News, both of which were annually voted among the nation’ top ten sports sections.

A lifelong Texan and graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, David lives near Fort Worth with his wife Sally. They have two children, Ashlin and Tyson.

More from the Whitaker House

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT
MATT SAYMAN AND THE LEFTOVERS…

 

I love a good comeback story, and this one has it all. The Leftovers is a great basketball book that shines a light on what true competitors can overcome with a solid work ethic and a drive that doesn’t quit.

—Tony Romo
CBS Sports NFL analyst
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback

 

Matt Sayman’s book is an inspiring personal story of a student-athlete’s struggles during one of the darkest moments in college basketball history, the Baylor basketball scandal, and its effect on him afterward. Ultimately, it is a moving story of personal redemption and an eyewitness account of the beginning of one of the sport’s greatest success stories ever.

—Fran Fraschilla
ESPN college basketball analyst

 

This phenomenal story is heart-wrenching, compelling, and inspiring. I couldn’t put it down. The Leftovers is a must-read for anyone who loves the game—and anyone who appreciates a gripping story.

—Mano Watsa
PGC Basketball president & owner

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 1

Inklings and notions, March 2

Artistic Nobody, March 3 (Spotlight)

The Sacred Line, March 3

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 4

For Him and My Family, March 5

Texas Book-aholic, March 6

Fiction Book Lover, March 7 (Spotlight)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 9

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 11

deb’s Book Review, March 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 13

Simple Harvest Reads, March 14 (Spotlight)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Matt is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1b062/the-leftovers-baylor-betrayal-and-beyond-celebration-tour-giveaway 

My Review

The Leftovers: Baylor, Betrayal, and Beyond is a wonderful book to read. It tells about the tragedies and experiences that Matt Sayman went through. It was interesting to see his journey to being part of the Baylor Basketball program and the events that followed. It has a faith filled message of learning how to overcome what seems to be the impossible and how turning to God brings peace and love. It was a motivating book to read. 

I am giving The Leftovers: Baylor, Betrayal, and Beyond five stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading book that offer inspiring true stories of hope and redemption. It would be a perfect gift for those who are struggling. 

I received a paperback copy of The Leftovers: Baylor, Betrayal, and Beyond from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.