09/30/11 ks

HAYS, Kan. -- A reunion for Tiger football players and coaches at Fort Hays State University's 2011 Homecoming will feature a book signing by former Coach Bob Cortese.

The football reunion includes a social from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Thirsty's, a tour of the Lewis Field facilities at 10 a.m. Saturday, and a flatbed trailer in the Homecoming Parade, which follows at 1 p.m. Coach Cortese will sign his book, "Stories Beyond the X's and O's," from 11 to noon on Saturday, Oct. 8, in Forsyth Library on the FHSU campus.

The book will be available for purchase at the event. The cost is $14.95 plus tax.

Cortese said he was looking forward to his return visit to Hays and the chance to see the campus and visit with coaches, former players and old friends.

"As a coach, I learned to expect the unexpected, to lead by example, and to always believe in my players," he said. "I have been fortunate to coach at the high school level, the arena sports level and at the University of Colorado, Mesa State College and Fort Hays State University. In my book 'Beyond the X's and O's,' I share some of my most memorable experiences from those years, including stories about my coaches, my student athletes, and some of the bizarre things that happen in the life of intercollegiate athletics."

Cortese coached at FHSU for eight seasons, from 1990 through 1997. He compiled a record of 55-32-3, including four seasons with 8 victories. He led the Tigers to their first NAIA playoff game, their first NCAA Division II playoff game, and a second NCAA Division II playoff game.

"Bob was a wonderful coach; and an even better story teller," said Irv Brown, a 30-year Denver talk radio host and ESPN TV analyst. "He had a very colorful career and his book shares with sports fans the many different sides of athletics."

Additional information about Coach Cortese and his book can be found on his website, www.coachcortese.com.