MUNCIE, Ind. -- A new book by a Ball State University graduate provides a revealing look at how one small Indiana college basketball program was the Cinderella story in last year’s NCAA basketball tournament.

Shawn Malayter, a 1995 graduate of Ball State’s journalism program, is the lead writer of "FIND A WAY: Valpo’s ‘Sweet" Dream."

The recently released book describes in detail the remarkable season enjoyed by Coach Homer Drew and the Valparaiso basketball team in 1997-98 when the tiny school rocked the NCAA tournament and earned a spot in the national limelight by reaching the Sweet 16.

"I originally had the idea for the book in March 1997 when I was watching Valpo play in their conference tournament on television," Malayter said. "I thought aloud how it would be interesting to chronicle Bryce Drew's senior season, his final season playing for his father, in the form of a book.

"This book was important to write because it shows the human side of the game," he said. "Win or lose, I felt that the story of a father coaching his son for his senior season would be a compelling one."

"FIND A WAY" is Malayter’s first book. He crafted his writing and interviewing skills as a student writer in the hometown news bureau of University Relations, Ball State’s news, information and marketing division. He also worked as a reporter for several newspapers in Indiana and Illinois. He and his wife, Eileen, resident in Chicago.

Malayter, a Valparaiso native and son of James Malayter, the college basketball team physician, had been close to the local college program for nearly 20 years. As a youngster, he was one of the team’s ball boys for six years and a statistician for three seasons.

The book is forwarded by Bryce Drew, who is playing professional basketball with the Houston Rockets as a first round draft pick, and by Scott Drew, another son and assistant coach. Co-authors of the book include Homer Drew, head coach at Valparaiso since the 1988-89 season, and Rob Rains, the communications manager for the Missouri Athletic Club.

The book’s publisher is Diamond Communications, Inc., of South Bend, Ind. It comes in hardback version and retails for $22.95.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Malayter through Diamond Communications at (800) 480-3717.)