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Margot Sage-El, owner of �鶹��ý����’s Watchung Booksellers, and award-winning sports writer Jon Pessah, have teamed up to support the next generation of sports media professionals at �鶹��ý����. Jon’s latest book, Yogi: A Life Behind the Mask, a compelling biography about the baseball legend and former �鶹��ý���� resident, was recently released. Of course, Yogi’s name is quite familiar on the �鶹��ý���� Campus, home to the Yogi Berra Museum and Yogi Berra Stadium – all found along Yogi Berra Drive. The University is also home to its nationally regarded School of Communication and Media and its rapidly growing program in sports communication.

Interested in finding a way to support future sportswriters, the former Newsday sports editor and ESPN Magazine writer reached out to his friend and MSU Board of Trustees member Rose Cali. Rose connected Jon with Margot, who graciously decided to donate 30 percent of all her sales of “Yogi” at Watchung Books to the School of Communication and Media to support sports communication students.

To further this fundraising effort, this fall Jon along with School of Communication and Media director and sports media scholar Dr. Keith Strudler will host a virtual panel conversation discussing his book, baseball and Yogi’s remarkable life story. This event will feature signature retired baseball players and sports writers, including ESPN’s Claire Smith, the first African-American female beat writer for Major League Baseball and a member of the writer’s wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame. More information about this event is forthcoming in upcoming weeks. Thanks to Margot and Jon for their support of our sports communication program.