It's ORSON Scott Card, and his Alvin Prentice series is some of the best stuff I have ever read. Also: "Maps in the Mirror" is an excellent collection of his short work.
FYI
Mike Holmgren's Theme:
"Finish The Climb":
He gave each of the players a carabiner earlier in the season, and has told them that the Superbowl is akin to "the last 20 feet of the climb"
I wonder if it was an oval
I knew there was a reason this was posted to the Climber's Board!