Blue White Illustrated

P R E V I E W No. 91 in Lou Prato's book Autographed copies available via louprato@comcast.net or through Lou Prato & Associates at 814-954-5171 Price: $14.95 plus shipping, handling and tax where applicable Also available with autograph: Lou's book We Are Penn State: The Remarkable Journey of the 2012 Nittany Lions Price: $19.95 plus shipping and tax where applicable has a daughter, Karli, 22, who works in a nursing home in McKeesport. One of his older brothers, Darwin, 55, is a Veterans Affairs group manager in North Carolina and the other, Davelle, 53, has been in prison most of his adult life. Short had reconciled with his father after his child- hood, but Melvin is no longer alive. His father had wanted him to turn pro following his redshirt junior season of 1998 because of the risk of injury as a senior, but Short decided to stay. He had not reached the goals he had set and was- n't satisfied. "If anybody had a reason to just go get some money and get on with it, you would have thought Brandon would have been the guy," Paterno told reporters after Short announced his decision in January 1999 to stay at Penn State for his senior year. "But he's very loyal." Aside from Franco Harris, no former player has been more loyal to Paterno since the Sandusky scandal than Short. He has often been criticized by outsiders for his outspoken opinions. The decision to run for a seat on the board of trustees dates back to his days as a Penn State undergraduate. "It's something I wanted to do since 1998 when I sat in on my first board meeting at the Nittany Lion Inn," Short said. "This was a group of people who were highly respected and had an impact on the university. I figured that one day I would want to serve the university that way as well. I ran for the board now be- cause I felt I was ready. I have the ability and skill set with being involved in inter- national business and structuring advi- sory boards and with my experience as a varsity athlete in dealing with a cross- section of alumni. I understand the pulse of the people." In July, Short will turn 40 with more goals to set in his life ahead. "Who knows what the future holds," he said. "I'm really happy with where I'm working and the trajectory of my career. I enjoy what I do and I wake up every day challenged. But like everything, every day I'm looking to improve and I want to give back." Gran would be very proud. ■

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