UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The latest book by Penn State alumnus Lou Prato — a 348-page to-do and to-know list for Penn State fans — comes with abundant background and context.
In “100 Things Penn State Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die” (Triumph Books, 2015) Prato ranks everything from the “We Are ...” chant and seeing George Deike’s trumpet to watching the Homecoming parade and climbing Mount Nittany.
The book largely focuses on football, but Prato, who earned his journalism degree from the University in 1959, delves into many other areas and experiences. He knows his subject matter well, having written several books about Penn State football, including "The Penn State Football Encyclopedia."
“It takes a historical perspective. What I tried to do was highlight certain things and situations. It’s mostly about football, but I also wanted to get other sports in there,” Prato said. “Really the hardest part was ranking everything. There’s just so much that’s great about Penn State, and that people should know.”
Prato has invested a lifetime of passion into the subject matter. He’s been a Penn Stater since he first stepped on campus as a freshman in 1955. He crafted a long career in local television news and as a freelance writer, invariably making time for Penn State activities, and later taught at the University and served as the founding director of the Penn State All-Sports Museum. His knowledge and passion for the subject matter, as well as his meticulous attention to detail, are obvious from the start of the book until its final page.
The book is available at bookstores on campus and across the region, or it may be purchased online.