I was born and raised in southern New Jersey, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. I graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in history, and did graduate work in history and ancient languages at Temple University and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.

After serving in the military and finishing school, I worked in business, engineering and with the United States Postal Service. Upon retiring from the U.S. Postal Service, I founded an online antiquarian bookstore, Riverfront Books, specializing in modern first editions.

My love of literature led me to write my first novel, “Catch a Rising Star: The Adult Game of Youth Sports.” This is the first piece of adult fiction to portray the mind-set of the obsessed youth sports parent, showing his desires, motivations, and often, sad results.

As a youth sports coach in soccer and softball, I was amazed by the lengths obsessed parents would go to drive their children to sports glory, or into the ground. I found that when parents’ expectations were not met, sports rage would take over, often resulting in violence. I combined my experience as a coach who witnessed parental sports rage, with interviews from other parents, coaches and children to get their perspectives and experiences on the issue. I had also served as program commissioner for the Cinnaminson (N.J.) Girls Soccer Club and representative to the South Jersey Girls Soccer League.

I often speak at events on the topic of sports rage and violence in sports and other youth activities. I currently live near Philadelphia with my wife, Carolyn. We enjoy traveling and book collecting. For more information, please visit: www.donaldwalbertson.com