Kevin Wolma, Hope College Assistant Athletic Director for Student Wellness and Compliance, has authored a fictional story about a struggling Westville Academy boys basketball team's journey to find its identity, purpose, and what they truly stand for as a program.

"E.P.I.C., The Season That Changed Lives Forever" is intended to enlighten and inspire coaches, athletes, and parents so they can maximize the leadership and growth opportunities youth sports offer. The 123-page book is available on Amazon for $12.99.

"Athletes around the country are constantly chasing — chasing scholarships, chasing NIL deals, chasing the right place through the transfer portal or chasing notoriety," Wolma said. "With this chase, student-athletes at their core still want to be impacted by sport. They want to be poured into. They want to be inspired. They want to be loved, and they want coaches to lead them. Because in the end, relationships matter.

"That is the reason I wrote EPIC: To show coaches that they can still coach to impact lives, to show parents that nothing is worth chasing at the expense of what truly matters, and to show student-athletes that coaches who coach from the heart are worth following."

Wolma drew inspiration for the book from his 30-year career in education, including 25 years at Hudsonville High School as a teacher, coach, and later athletic director, followed by the past four and a half years in admissions and athletics at Hope College, where he is currently in his third year as assistant athletic director.

EPIC opens with Westville Academy on a three-game losing streak and a disappointing 3-5 start to a promising season. Head coach Marcus Briggs is struggling to find answers as pressure — external and internal — mounts.

A timely meeting request from his respected athletic director, Marian Brewer, prompts Briggs to reflect on and reevaluate his approach to coaching. A shift toward focusing on character development and learning who his student-athletes are as young men unlocks a transformational and rewarding experience for Coach Briggs and his team, on and off the court.

Courtney Kust, an assistant athletic director and associate head women's basketball coach at Hope, said EPIC will inspire every coach and leader to think differently, lead boldly and chase what truly matters.

"Through the powerful story of a high school basketball coach and his team, Kevin shares practical and effective tools for leaders, as well as invaluable lessons on leadership, teamwork and the true meaning of belonging," Kust said. "It's a must-read guide for leaders who value the person over the player."

Michigan High School Athletic Association Executive Director Mark Uyl said Wolma's commitment to the mission of educational athletics is both inspiring and transformational.

"[The book] is insightful, has heartfelt storytelling and a clear vision for what leadership in school athletics should look like," Uyl said. "For anyone who believes in the power of sports to teach life's most important lessons, this is a must-read."

Allendale High School Athletic Director Jason Dykstra said EPIC was "incredible, a fast read and very heartwarming."

"The characters were easily relatable," Dykstra said. "They faced situations that many student-athletes, coaches and parents experience in educational athletics. I highly recommend EPIC to student-athletes, coaches, parents and administrators."