Local legend and Westlake resident, Phil Bova joins us at the Westlake Porter Public Library to discuss his book "Throwing Back the Chair."
Phil Bova was a Big Ten Basketball referee for 30 years and officiated in March Madness a staggering 20 straight years. Locally in Westlake, Phil is also very well known for his youth baseball camp which has been a Cleveland staple for 45 years.
Throwing Back the Chair is a humorous and entertaining read that covers several facets of his career, and further details the life of a big time official. How do you get picked for March Madness? What are the intricacies on officiating a game? Which coach nearly caused a physical altercation on the floor? Which legend wrote Phil a letter of apology for his despicable behavior? What’s it like to be on the floor at Ohio State? What were the top 15 games he officiated during his career? What was the atmosphere like when Bobby Knight threw the chair across the floor? Phil tells us that, and much, MUCH more!
Westlake Porter Public Library is an independent public library serving the residents of the city of Westlake, western Cuyahoga County and eastern Lorain County. The library is located at 27333 Center Ridge Road in Westlake, Ohio. Anyone who lives, works, owns property, or goes to school in Ohio can register for a free library card.