Joe Battista
-
Gibbs’ Rule No. 39: There Is No Such Thing as a Coincidence
in Columns—
by
Since I was young, I always looked forward to the fall, and growing up in western Pennsylvania, fall meant football. Yeah, I know, I’m a hockey guy, but I was a football guy first and I’ve been a fan for a long time. With new head coaches leading my three favorite football programs—the Pittsburgh Steelers,…
-
A Penn State Hockey Legend Who Should Never Be Forgotten
—
by
“Dr. Lawrence ‘Larry’ Hendry, 81, a distinguished chemist, pioneering entrepreneur, and passionate sports enthusiast, passed away August 30, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of profound scientific and athletic contributions.” This was the opening paragraph of the formal obituary of my friend and former Penn State hockey coach Larry Hendry. His professional successes are amazing, but…
-
Battista: How Many Hats Does a Man Need?
in Columns—
by
A couple years ago my wife and I were shopping at Dick’s Sporting Goods, and I saw a really nice U.S. Ryder Cup hat that was regularly $45 on sale for $15. I really wanted to buy the hat. My wife intervened and asked a nearby clerk, a young man, “How many hats does a…
-
Battista: Our Summer Adventures Continue
in Columns—
by
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” —Helen Keller Our 27-day summer adventure is finally coming to an end. Just one more day in our nation’s capital, then we are finally off to our South Carolina home. It’s been quite the journey! Since July 15, we’ve been driving and flying through and across nine states…
-
Battista: The Retiree’s Adventures Continue…
in Columns—
by
Buckle up, baby, ‘cause we’re back on the road again! Nine states in 27 days of driving and flying, and dealing with torrential rains and tornado warnings in Pennsylvania, and a wildfire in Sun Valley, Idaho. And that was just in the first 10 days. Yes, this “retired life” is busier than ever for my…
-
Battista: It’s All About the Details
in Columns—
by
I recently spent an amazing day getting a VIP tour of Fort Stewart Army Base located near Hinesville, Georgia. Like most young boys who grew up in the 1960s, my brother and I and our neighborhood friends spent hours in the woods near our home in Pittsburgh “playing army” or playing inside with those little…
-
America At 250: I’m (Still) Proud to Be an American
—
by
I’m about to celebrate my “Mario Lemieux” birthday (my Yinzer friends will know my age immediately), and I continue to be bullish on the American Dream. Despite our flaws as a nation, I’m still proud to be an American. I also believe we can do even better in the next 250 years if we are…
-
Battista: In Marriage, ‘Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard’
—
by
Picture these recent conversations in our retirement community in Sun City: A softball friend: “Hey buddy, we are meeting some other couples at AL’s on Friday night for dinner. You and Heidi want to join us?” Me: “Thanks for the invite, but my wife and I are attending a marriage conference at our church.” The…
-
Battista: What Really Grinds My Gears
—
by
“Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble / But I’m doin’ the best that I can!” – Mac Davis My wife and I have put almost 20,000 miles on our new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid since December. The good news is it practically drives itself, it really does get great gas mileage, is a quiet…
-
Battista: Remember to Eat the Heart of the Watermelon
in Columns—
by
Can I ask you a personal question? Do you wake up every morning and start your day by counting your blessings and giving thanks for another day? Do you periodically make a list of the people in your life that you need to reach out to just to say your life is better because they…