• A Sports Fan's Guide to Route 66

      by
      Mark Sedenquist
      Published on 11-28-2020 11:33 AM
      0 Comments Comments

      Get Your Balls, Bats, and Sticks on Route 66!

      Immortalized in countless books, songs, and movies, Route 66 is a timeless icon of American culture. Until now, however, no guide to this historic byway has focused on another beloved part of American culture: sports. That all changes with A Sports Fan's Guide to Route 66. In this groundbreaking new book, sports writer and lifelong sports fan Ron Clements goes beyond nostalgic buildings and classic cars to highlight historic sports venues, storied sports professionals, and current sports events along the Mother Road.

      State by state


      Illinois


      Rolling 301 miles through Illinois, Route 66 is dotted with small towns that embrace their Mother Road heritage. In addition to NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB teams, you'll find auto and horse racing tracks. And don't forget the magnificent lineup of high school and collegiate sports programs to check out along the way.

      Missouri


      The Missouri stretch of Route 66 has a little bit of everything for sports fans. Professional teams, a pair of NCAA Division I universities, multiple D-II schools, elite high school teams, and a handful of golf courses are just the beginning.

      Kansas


      Take a trip back in time on the 13-mile non-Interstate stretch of Route 66 through the small towns of Galena, Riverton, and Baxter Springs. All three towns inspired characters and settings in the 2006 Disney Pixar film Cars. They also have high schools with competitive teams, especially on the diamond.

      Oklahoma


      Oklahoma is home to many sports legends who have roots on Route 66. Towns along the Mother Road boast baseball hall of famers, football stars, Olympic medalists, and one superstar who won the most enduring foot race of all time. Oklahoma is also home to an NBA team, a Triple-A baseball club, and--perhaps surprisingly--thriving rugby and rowing scenes.

      Texas


      We all know the movies and television shows about Texas high school football. Route 66 travelers can experience it for themselves while traveling from Shamrock to Adrian. Discover high-scoring six-man football and a unique golf course with sand greens in McLean. Amarillo has successful minor league baseball and hockey teams in addition to a thriving high school sports scene. And check out one of the nation’s biggest rodeos!

      Read more about this new book here!