Titles by Lou Prato

<div><strong>Perfect for Penn State fans who think they already know everything</strong><br />&nbsp;<br />With traditions, records, and Nittany Lions lore, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every Penn State fan should know. It contains crucial information such as important dates, player nicknames, memorable moments, and outstanding achievements by singular players. From trivia on legendary players&mdash;such as John Cappelletti, Kerry Collins, Larry Johnson, LaVar Arrington, and Paul Posluszny&mdash;to knowing the best places to catch a game, <em>100 Things Penn State Fans Should Know &amp; Do Before They Die</em> is the ultimate resource guide for true fans of the Nittany Lions.</div>

No college football program has ever had to deal with the obstacles, hostility, and challenges encountered by the players and coaches of the 2012 Penn State Nittany Lions, and this book is an account of that unforgettable season in which the team rebounded from a disillusioning 0-2 start to surprise everyone and finish with an 8-4 record, third best in the Big Ten Conference. The turmoil at Penn State began in early November 2011 with the shocking arrest of retired assistant coach Jerry Sandusky for multiple charges of sexual child abuse, and within days legendary head coach Joe Paterno was fired in what would be termed the biggest scandal in college football history. By the end of January, Paterno was dead from lung cancer and a new head coach without any Penn State connections, Bill O’Brien, began putting together his staff while finishing up his job as offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl bound New England Patriots. We Are Penn State tells the story of how this team overcame unprecedented NCAA sanctions, including a four-year bowl ban and the loss of 45 scholarships over the same period, the transfer of several of its star players, and overwhelming predictions that the 2012 season would be a disaster to put together a successful season and restore some dignity to what was once considered one of the elite programs in college football.

For serious football fans wanting to relive the most unforgettable, extraordinary, and gut-wrenching moments in Penn State's history, this account explores the team's greatest plays, providing context, back story, relevant circumstances, and comments from those directly involved in each play. Photos help reanimate memories, including Gregg Garrity's diving catch to win the 1982 National Title, Pete Giftopoulos' interception of Vinny Testaverde to clinch the 1986 National Championship, the 96-yard drive late in the fourth quarter to help the team win its first Ben Ten Title, and the last-minute blocked field goal in 2001 that made Joe Paterno the winningest coach in college football history.

What It Means to be a Nittany Lion: Joe Paterno and Penn State's Greatest Players explores what seems to be a simple question: What does it mean to be a Nittany Lion? One person or one phrase cannot answer that question because so many emotions encompass the true Nittany Lion spirit. The greatest Penn State players and coaches from the past eight decades were called upon to express why they are so proud to be a part of the storied tradition that is Nittany Lion football and give fans an inside look on their college careers at Happy Valley. What It Means to be a Nittany Lion brings together all of their stories, as told by the most outstanding voices of the Penn State program, guaranteed to enhance your passion for Nittany Lion football. It’s not just one tradition, one season or one particular gameâ€â€Âit’s the stories coming from the players who experienced the magic over the decades that capture the true essence of the Nittany Lion way.