that they must stick together. George does not want anything to do with Phil. He believes that Phil took advantage of his wife when she was vulnerable.

While the Coach admits that he had his liaisons, he believes his boys, these men, are the real trophies from his life. He tries to inspire them to stick together. Phil tells him that he cannot support George.

George exits to use the bathroom. Coach goes on about how Sharmen’s uncle was a communist. Tom questions why he must use the communism aspect at all. Coach believes that one must exploit an opponent’s weakness to win whether it’s a game or an election. Tom leaves to use the bathroom when George returns. James dares Phil to call Sharmen and offer him a campaign contribution now. Phil does, but Sharmen turns him down.

Phil becomes angry with them for using him. As Coach continues to try to convince him to support George, Tom returns, but drunkenly falls down the stairs. He is unhurt. Phil asks Coach to talk outside for a moment. George is worried about their conversation. He becomes upset about his wife’s infidelity and other family matters. James tries to convince George to accept Phil’s money, if Coach can change Phil’s mind. George asks James if he would take the money, if Phil was having an affair with James’s wife. James says yes.

Tom and James begin to argue. George feels sorry for himself. James tries to convince George that Marion might have had the affair for his benefit. James becomes upset about his life, and the sacri- fices he made to support his father, his alcoholic brother, and his family.

Phil comes back in, and tells George that Coach wants to see him on the porch. Phil talks about how bored he is in his life and how his crowning moment was the championship they won. He talks about the affair, telling Tom that George’s wife has been sleeping with other men for several years. Phil also reveals that his wife sleeps around with his consent.

Phil tells them that he wants to hire professional outside people to run George’s campaign. This means James will step down as his manager. James is upset because of his own political aspirations. Phil slugs James, breaking his dentures. James vows revenge—by defaming George—if they dump him. George becomes sick and throws up in their championship trophy.

Act III
Coach takes George upstairs to clean up, while James leaves to wipe out the trophy. Phil tells Tom more details about the affair. James returns, still angry about their betrayal. James wants his turn now. Coach comes back. He is still upset by the dissension. James tells him that he wants to be respected, but Coach calls him a whiner.

George returns. He has talked to his wife, and she admitted that she had the affair in return for the campaign money. Coach tells George to go home and beat up his wife for her infidelity. He believes George has no pride. Though the men have talent, Coach believes they are wasting it. James still wants to be campaign manager, but no one will listen.

When Tom speaks up, Coach calls him useless. Tom tells him why Martin has not come back in twenty years. Martin had wanted him to refuse the championship trophy because Coach had told him to seriously hurt the best player on the opposing team during the game. Martin complied, breaking the boy’s ribs. Coach denies the whole matter, though Tom tries to needle him into admitting it. Coach hits Tom. Tom leaves.

Coach talks about his past, his mother and father, and how he made those present winners. He puts on a recording of the last moments of the championship game. Tom returns. The men make up. James agrees to do what George wants, though he will still work on the campaign. They take a picture of the four men and an individual one of the Coach.