Joe Battista

  • State College - IMG_1423

    A Night of Champions

    in ,

    by

    Talk about a hat trick for sport watching. Monday, June 24, was an absolutely fantastic night of sports for me. Three — count’em, three — championship games on the same evening. I settled in to watch on my television, laptop and iPhone so I could simultaneously follow all 3 contests. When the evening ended the American Hockey…

  • State College - slower traffic keep right

    Life in The Fast Lane: What’s The Rush?

    in ,

    by

    My father was a Russian. My mother was a Russian. Me, I’m justa takin’ my time. – Dad Jokes Time, like the weather, is a life variable that we all fret over but seem to have little control over. As you get older time takes on an entirely different meaning as those of us in the…

  • State College - battista dick van dyke

    The Joys of Nostalgia 

    in ,

    by

    Would you describe yourself as a nostalgic person? Do you find yourself longing for the happy times in your past? I guess I have always been a bit of a sentimental person. OK, in full disclosure, I am a sucker for nostalgia. As my former players will attest, I cried like a baby at every…

  • State College - battista 5-21 1

    Friends for Life

    in , , , ,

    by

    Among the many positive benefits to participating in team sports, and perhaps the most underrated and longest lasting, are the lifelong friendships that are forged. Coaches constantly talk about the significance of culture, chemistry and camaraderie. Yes, we all want to win and to be champions, but in the end, the final scores are mostly…

  • State College - battista 5-7-24

    May Is a Month for Memories 

    in ,

    by

    May has always been a fun, memory-making month for many. The May flowers are blooming, the weather is getting better, and many Americans are starting to get their tax refunds so get outside and start making new memories. The month kicks off with traditional May Day festivals, Star Wars Day (May the Fourth Be with…

  • State College - battista 4-23 1

    What Defines You?

    in , ,

    by

    If you are paying any attention to the news these days, then you know that Iowa women’s college basketball star Caitlin Clark has been dominating the sports headlines for the past few months. If you are a golf fan, you would also be well aware of the dominating performance of the world’s top ranked men’s…

  • State College - battista key club

    The ‘Key’ to the Future 

    in , ,

    by

    Let’s face it, those of us who are “boomers” have believed the world revolves around us for the past 60 years. No doubt we have shaped the nation, for better or worse, during its greatest and fastest era of growth, at least in part because of our sheer numbers and the technological advances that have…

  • State College - robert schwartz

    The Wisdom of Morrie: A Son’s Perspective

    in ,

    by

    One of the reasons we chose an active adult community for the next chapter of our lives was the myriad of opportunities to join clubs and experience events. We have just scratched the surface in our first 18 months in Sun City Hilton Head, but we are enjoying so many diverse and interesting activities including “Meet…

  • State College - IMG_3360

    ‘I Have Fought the Good Fight… I Have Kept the Faith’ 

    in , ,

    by

    “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”— 2 Timothy 4:7 Ben Franklin once wrote, “Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” We’ll save the taxes part for another…

  • State College - battista 2-27-24 2

    ‘Every Day Is Saturday, Except Sunday’ 

    in ,

    by

    I once asked my former Penn State athletics colleague and friend Bruce Ellis how he was enjoying retirement.  His response has resonated with me every day since. He said, with a big grin on his face, “Every day is Saturday, except Sunday!” I doggedly researched both the financial nuances and the quality-of-life aspects of retirement…