Jeff Kirby, writer, of "Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat" has generated a number of responses from his latest novel. Here are just a few. Please leave additional comments below if you had a chance to read this great novel!Jeff, thank you very much for your complimentary copy of your latest novel, "Once A Wildcat, Always A Wildcat," which I read from cover to cover. A few nights I was up until 2:30 a.m.; once I started reading the novel, obviously, I could not put it down.
Please accept my personal and sincere congratulations for your authorship of such fine writing. Your background information was most accurate, the storyline was very intriguing, the numerous exhibits were all in proper context, all skillfully woven together by a very competent and gifted author, resulting in a very fine novel.
The eulogy to your father Tom was very touching, accurate and most appropriate.
From one Wildcat to another, thanks again.
Lou Tracy
Attorney
FHS 1944
West Carrollton
FRANKLIN WAS AND IS A SPECIAL PLACE
Kirb, I just finished the book 10 minutes ago and I had to close my office door because I was blubbering.
You've got the same kind of passion and gift for writing as John Grisham. Who knows if it'll take you as far as him, or even farther, but no matter what -- chase it!
I find myself walking into huge stadiums and arenas and stepping before the camera, but I'm still convinced the best gig of all would've been the following:
* Getting Janine Creekmore to realize that I had some redeeming qualities
* Growing up to be Tom Kirby while working with Jeff Kirby
* Seeing my kids grow up to play for the red and black
* Hitting the Franklin Golf Club with my friends on a crisp fall afternoon and finishing up not long before the sun set.
Franklin was and is a special place with special people, and you are one of the best, my friend. Thanks for telling the world.
Dave Baker
SEC Broadcaster
WKYT-TV, Channel 27, Lexington
FHS 1978
SO MANY MEMORIES
Hey Jeff, great night last Wednesday. Thanks for the invite and for the book. That was really nice of you. I got to see a lot of friends that I have not seen for a long time.
I am not much of a reader but I read your book word for word. I say word for word because when I do happen to read I skip over a lot. Your book is super !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to purchase the Springboro book and read it too.
I could not put it down. I think your book and "They Call Me Coach" (John Wooden) are the only two books I have ever read completely.
The time frame was perfect for me because I was born in 1952 and my first solid recollections of Franklin and the Wildcats was 1960 when I was 8, which was basically the beginning time for the book. Other than the fictional characters I think I personally knew everyone, everyplace and everything that was mentioned in the book. Even the newspaper prank Delmer pulled off at the Jr High gym.
I found your early description of Franklin unbelievable especially since you were too young to know those things. It brought back so many memories.
Last night I drove through Franklin, across the bridge, past Hollywood to Carlisle to paint a house. The entire time I was hearing the Little Diddy About Jack and Diane song in my mind, thinking about Jack and Diane and thinking about which one of those houses Jack and his family would of lived in. Weird huh ?
Your credits to the Stewart family was fitting and nice. The section on your dad and family was super!!!
You are not being prejudiced by saying that your class was special. Your class and the class of '84 were two classes I never got to coach and wish I had. I think you guys were 8th graders when I started teaching at FJHS. Your class was special! What a shame Hollon did not play football in high school.
In 1974 you brother John was a wideout on the 7th grade football team (my first coaching job). We played Lakota and John caught a "trick play" halfback pass for a touchdown. Your mom and dad walked up to me after the game and your dad gave me my first compliment. He said, "Coach, you seem to have a talent for coaching". Your mom and dad were a great looking couple, nice people and very supportive.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the book. You have a real gift, Jeff. I would guess that coming from the heart makes it easier. I have always told people that there is something about Franklin that draws you back. Thanks for writing the book.
John Aregood
Wildcat head coach
1984-1997
FHS 1970
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