Author and success coach Joe Battista, the former Penn State hockey coach and associate athletic director for Pegula Ice Arena and varsity hockey, will formally launch his new book, “The Power of Pragmatic Passion: 7 Common Sense Principles for Achieving Personal and Professional Success,” at a book signing event on Feb. 24 at Barnes & Noble in State College.
Battista will sign copies of the book from 1 to 3 p.m. at the 365 Benner Pike Benner Pike store.
The book is available at Barnes and Noble, or through Amazon. Personalized, signed copies also are available at www.pragmaticpassion.com. More than 1,200 books have been sold in the pre-launch phase.
The 325-page book includes “Real Life 101” examples and insights from a cross section of those who have achieved success by practicing the seven common sense principles that make up Pragmatic Passion.
“Pragmatic Passion” is for anyone looking to create, reveal or cultivate a new passion and purpose for one’s career or life, according to the release. That may include a high-school student who is not sure what’s next — trade school, the military, college or a gap year; a college student looking to change majors; a recent graduate trying to land a rewarding job; someone currently working who wants to learn how to advance in their career; someone frustrated with their current situation who wants to make a change; or even a retiree who is looking for their next life challenge, whether it’s full-time or part-time.
Battista has been a columnist for StateCollege.com since 2009 and has written more than 200 articles on topics ranging from self-help principles to personal stories about family, school, sports and life events. He is a professional speaker whose audiences include corporations, non-profits, high schools and colleges, sports teams and professional associations.
Battista has a distinguished career in collegiate and professional sports and was recently inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in November 2018. In 19 seasons as head coach, his Penn State teams won a total of 512 games and six American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championships.
He helped secure the largest philanthropic gift in Penn State history, $88 million from Terry and Kim Pegula to establish the Nittany Lion varsity hockey programs and construct Pegula Ice Arena. Battista also served as vice president of the Buffalo Sabres.
He works with high school students through his “Take Charge of Your Life” program and he is currently the vice president and an executive coach for the National Athletic and Professional Success Academy, an organization that helps former professional athletes transition into life beyond sports.
