BROOKLYN, NY – Pro Hockey News has benefitted from the talented writers, columnists, editors, and photographers to have offered their time to cover professional hockey worldwide. One of those talented people we have been pleased to count as a staffer is Jerry Del Priore in Brooklyn, New York.
Never give up! It’s not just a rallying cry but the everyday philosophy for the twenty heroic athletes chronicled in Running Through Roadblocks (Bedazzled Ink, 2008) by Jerry Del Priore. The trials and tribulations of these warrior athletes inspire and provide hope to others through sheer persistence and optimism in the face of life-changing adversity.
Del Priore seemed destined to write a book about athletes’ triumphant battles against life’s greatest challenges. “As a child growing up in Brooklyn, I always cheered harder for the athletic underdogs. I felt 
inspired when I learned of an athlete who triumphed over adversity. It gave me the motivation to pursue my own dreams. I felt if they could do it, heck, so could I!”
“Each athlete I interviewed helped me find a new appreciation for life. I believe everyone possesses an inner strength that’s waiting to be revealed. For some people, it takes a traumatic life-altering event to awaken the giant within.”
The lessons Del Priore has learned has shown him that anything can be accomplished as long as you believe in yourself and stay focused on the task.
“Plus, to ignore the negativity of others. A lot of people felt that I wouldn’t get published, because it’s hard,” Del Priore said. “But I did!”
Included among the twenty amazing athletes in this book is former Detroit Lions’ offensive guard Mike Utley, who didn’t give up after a collision on the football field left him paralyzed from the chest down; Molly McMaster, a colon cancer survivor, who plays women’s amateur hockey and played “men’s professional ice hockey;” and Jim Eisenreich, former MLB player, who helped the Florida Marlins capture the 1997World Series crown while living with Tourette syndrome.
“I am working on a second book, but would’ve liked to include pitcher Jim Abbot and Mighty Mike Simmel, a basketball player for the Harlem Wizards, who will be in my second book,” Del Priore said. “He does amazing basketball tricks. You can view him on YouTube.”
As a juvenile diabetic, Del Priore has not only triumphed over his own physical setback but has gained insight and inspiration from interviewing the athletes in Running Through Roadblocks. There were great influences in Del Priore’s life too.
“My family, particular my Mother. Plus, I always pulled for the underdogs, especially in sports,” Del Priore added.
In Running Through Roadblocks, these are stories of individuals who have taken control of their lives and conditions and made amazing impacts on those around them. The reader is guided to the question of ‘what is the take home lesson for those with and without disabilities after reading this book?’
“Simply put, never give up on your dreams. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. In fact, use that to motivate and push you to the finish line,” Del Priore says.
“Always find a way to get it done. You have the power to control the outcome.”
Running Through Roadblocks is a profile in courage for today for our neighbors, friends and family who may face similar roadblocks in their lives. Jerry Del Priore communicates the strength of character of each person in his book.
“RTR will give you more perspective and help you appreciate life even more than you already do!”
Pro Hockey News is pleased to recommend Running Through Roadblocks by Jerry Del Priore and we are proud to count Jerry among our family of writers.
Contact the author at lou.lafrado@prohockeynews.com .
