Celtic JoJo White & His Biographer to Speak at Stevens Memorial Library

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – Celtics Legend JoJo White and author Mark C. Bodanza will appear at the Stevens Memorial Library on Sunday, May 3th from 3:00PM- 4:30PM to present and sign copies of Mr. White’s new biography Make It Count: The Life and Times of Basketball Great JoJo White.

JoJo White helped lead the Boston Celtics to two world championships, 1974 and 1976. He was named the MVP of the 1976 NBA Finals. JoJo was a seven-time NBA All-Star and was instrumental in leading the US Olympic Team to a Gold Medal during the 1968 Games at Mexico City.

Make It Count chronicles White’s basketball career, examining not only JoJo’s playing days, from the neighborhood courts of St. Louis to the NBA, but also how his good upbringing and solid character helped influence his success on the court. White maintained his humble dedication, even through some of America’s most tumultuous times which directly impacted him as a young African American athlete coming of age during the racial tensions of the 60s and the Vietnam War.

White’s story is interwoven with ours as a nation. His basketball days were shaped by—and in a few cases, helped shape—events of monumental importance. Race relations, the war in Vietnam, and political tumult across the land punctuated White’s years as both a Kansas Jayhawk and Boston Celtic. Bodanza shows how, through his years on the court, the point guard from St. Louis, Missouri, maintained a steady contribution to the game that became his passion while still a child. With each passing game, season, or team that formed a part of his playing days, White stayed true to principles learned before he donned his first high-school uniform.

Make It Count narrates a compelling chronicle of a sports career complete with drama, triumphs, and losses, as well as an affirmation that hard work has its reward. Author Mark Bodanza is a historian, trial lawyer, newspaper columnist and radio guest. He has written three sports history books. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and children. This event if free but registration is required. To register, please visit or call the reference desk at 978-688-9505 Ext. 42016

Use the Library website calendar to see the full schedule of events. Subscribe to “Library News” from the main webpage to receive email alerts or like us on Facebook.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Stevens Memorial Library. The Stevens Memorial Library is located at 345 Main St., North Andover, MA. The Library’s hours are Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about the Library, visit the Library, its website: www.StevensMemLib.org, or call at 978-688-9505, ext. 42016.