Follis: Greatness Transcends

Ralph N. Paulk is an award-winning journalist whose first book, Jim O'Brien: Bucking the Odds was published by Sports Publishing, Inc., in February 2002. The book chronicles the remarkable comeback of a coach who took a dysfunctional Big Ten program and led it to the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament in just two years. O'Brien triumphed over tragedy, particularly the death of his wife, Christine.
As a single dad, he taught his craft to his two daughters, both of whom would become coaches.  Paulk, a Michigan State University graduate, has spent more than 30 years as a sports reporter with several newspapers - including Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Richmond Times Dispatch, Akron Beacon Journal, Detroit Free Press and Akron Beacon Journal. A native of Ambrose, Ga., he began his career as a military journalist, covering mostly NATO exercises in southern Europe.
The award-winning sports writer was honored as sports writer of the year in Ohio and Virginia, and honored for his investigative and enterprise reporting by the Society of Professional Journalists and Associated Press Sports Editors in three states - including Pennsylvania, where he covered the Pittsburgh Steelers, golf and auto racing. Paulk, elected in 2017 as president of the largest predominantly Black golf club in the country -  Tiretown Golf Club and Tiretown Golf Charities -  was a part of the 1994 Pulitzer Prize winning team with the Akron Beacon Journal.
Paulk and his wife, Marilyn, have five children - David, Terra, Ralph, Brittany, and Amber. Herman D. Smith III., the great nephew to Charles W. Follis and Grandson to his youngest brother Joseph W. Follis and Florence Follis. Being of direct-blood lineage gives me as the author the authoritative perspective no one else can pen. I have personally heard the stories from my ancestors, witnesses, professional historians, accompanied by family artifacts and Follis enthusiasts alike throughout my lifetime.
I lived and slept in the same homes in Wooster Ohio, raised by some of the same family members described in this biography. As children we digested all of our family history, principles and morals, and never before heard factual events we shared with you. These individuals have contributed greatly into shaping me into the man I am today. Dedicated to my girls Victoria, Breana and Alana.