Making Your Own Luck: From a Skid Row Bar to Rebuilding Indiana University Athletics
One man's odyssey from skid row to rebuilding a major collegiate sports program.

In Making Your Own Luck, former Indiana University athletic director Fred Glass recounts how even a self-described "knucklehead" learned to be prepared to recognize and seize opportunities and thus make his own luck through life.

Growing up in a skid row bar, having an alcoholic father, struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, and making his share of stupid mistakes, Glass had much to contend with in early life. However, supported by socially enlightened parents, a Jesuit education, and his soulmate, Barbara, his odyssey has led him to serve a mayor, a governor, a senator, and even a president.

With great humor and insightful reflection, Glass details how he helped keep the Colts in Indianapolis—he spearheaded a massive convention center expansion and the building of Lucas Oil Stadium and even helped to attract the Super Bowl to his hometown. Any of these accomplishments individually would be more than enough to call Glass's career a resounding success, but they were only the beginning. In the latest stage of his journey, Glass led the rebuilding of the athletic program of his beloved alma mater, Indiana University.

Featuring a foreword from IU alumnus and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, Making Your Own Luck is a must-read not only for Indiana sports fans, but for anyone that recognizes the importance of preparation, opportunity and action in creating your own success.

1138636975
Making Your Own Luck: From a Skid Row Bar to Rebuilding Indiana University Athletics
One man's odyssey from skid row to rebuilding a major collegiate sports program.

In Making Your Own Luck, former Indiana University athletic director Fred Glass recounts how even a self-described "knucklehead" learned to be prepared to recognize and seize opportunities and thus make his own luck through life.

Growing up in a skid row bar, having an alcoholic father, struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, and making his share of stupid mistakes, Glass had much to contend with in early life. However, supported by socially enlightened parents, a Jesuit education, and his soulmate, Barbara, his odyssey has led him to serve a mayor, a governor, a senator, and even a president.

With great humor and insightful reflection, Glass details how he helped keep the Colts in Indianapolis—he spearheaded a massive convention center expansion and the building of Lucas Oil Stadium and even helped to attract the Super Bowl to his hometown. Any of these accomplishments individually would be more than enough to call Glass's career a resounding success, but they were only the beginning. In the latest stage of his journey, Glass led the rebuilding of the athletic program of his beloved alma mater, Indiana University.

Featuring a foreword from IU alumnus and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, Making Your Own Luck is a must-read not only for Indiana sports fans, but for anyone that recognizes the importance of preparation, opportunity and action in creating your own success.

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Making Your Own Luck: From a Skid Row Bar to Rebuilding Indiana University Athletics

Making Your Own Luck: From a Skid Row Bar to Rebuilding Indiana University Athletics

Making Your Own Luck: From a Skid Row Bar to Rebuilding Indiana University Athletics

Making Your Own Luck: From a Skid Row Bar to Rebuilding Indiana University Athletics

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Overview

One man's odyssey from skid row to rebuilding a major collegiate sports program.

In Making Your Own Luck, former Indiana University athletic director Fred Glass recounts how even a self-described "knucklehead" learned to be prepared to recognize and seize opportunities and thus make his own luck through life.

Growing up in a skid row bar, having an alcoholic father, struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, and making his share of stupid mistakes, Glass had much to contend with in early life. However, supported by socially enlightened parents, a Jesuit education, and his soulmate, Barbara, his odyssey has led him to serve a mayor, a governor, a senator, and even a president.

With great humor and insightful reflection, Glass details how he helped keep the Colts in Indianapolis—he spearheaded a massive convention center expansion and the building of Lucas Oil Stadium and even helped to attract the Super Bowl to his hometown. Any of these accomplishments individually would be more than enough to call Glass's career a resounding success, but they were only the beginning. In the latest stage of his journey, Glass led the rebuilding of the athletic program of his beloved alma mater, Indiana University.

Featuring a foreword from IU alumnus and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, Making Your Own Luck is a must-read not only for Indiana sports fans, but for anyone that recognizes the importance of preparation, opportunity and action in creating your own success.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780253059451
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Publication date: 11/02/2021
Pages: 224
Sales rank: 622,558
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Fred Glass is a prominent Indianapolis attorney and civic leader who served as Indiana University's athletic director for nearly twelve years and is now a partner in the law firm Taft, Stettinius & Hollister. He and his wife Barbara have four children and a son-in-law and daughter-in-law, all of whom are Indiana University graduates, as well as five grandchildren.

Table of Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgments
Foreword, by Mark Cuban
Preface
Part 1: PREPARATION
1. Early Life in a Skid Row Bar
2. Just Another Knucklehead
3. Barbara
4. The Jesuits
5. Lessons on Racial Justice
6. Seeds of Servant Leadership
7. Starting Out
Part 2: OPPORTUNITY
8. Serving a Governor
9. Practicing Law
10. Presidential Politics
11. Serving a Mayor
12. Bringing the Super Bowl to Indy
13. Returning to Indiana University
14. Healing
15. Leading and Rebuilding
16. The Coaches
17. A Final Word

What People are Saying About This

Bart Peterson

Fred Glass is wise, funny and unsparingly honest. Making Your Own Luck is more than just the story of a scrappy kid prevailing after weaving through the obstacles of an unconventional upbringing. Glass's memoir forces us to confront the excuses we often make that hold us back from success in our careers and in our lives. While Glass is a person of remarkable accomplishment, he makes a compelling case that you don't have to be born remarkable to achieve great things. He asks us to embrace the idea that we can – and should – shape our own destinies. He wants each of us to walk away from this entertaining and inspiring book saying, 'Well, if he can do it, why can't I?'

James Martin

A winning combination of a coming-of-age tale, an honest spiritual memoir, and how-to book on building teamwork, all presented with a true writer's flair.

Evan Bayh

Fred Glass has written a wise book about how to find fulfillment, happiness, and meaning in life. At a time when so much seems superficial, his sound reflections based on personal experience are important and worthwhile.

Bill Polian

Fred Glass has written a unique book: part autobiography, part oral history of modern Indiana politics and government, and part primer on how to  navigate the world of big time pro and collegiate sports . It is the inspiring story of one of the finest and most successful men I have been privileged to know. I'm certain you will enjoy and benefit from reading it.

Dick Vitale

Fred Glass is a true representative of the philosophy that you can make it in the GAME OF LIFE if you possess desire and determination.  This is a great read for people chasing dreams.  Fred's climb to success can inspire and motivate YOU in pursuing your goals.  Fred Glass's story is AWESOME BABY with a capital "A"!

Jim Delany

Fred's friendly leadership style belies the keen human insights he has gained along the way as a son of a tavern owner, a practicing lawyer and an advisor to city, state and national leaders. As commissioner of the Big Ten, I had a front row seat to admire and collaborate with a man who listened and led IU athletics to success while treating all around him with dignity and respect. [Making Your Own Luck] is a great read, which I highly recommend.

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