Television and Film Actor Thom Gossom, Jr. to Sign Memoir 'Walk-On' at Borders in Westwood Oct. 16

    LOS ANGELES, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ --

    Who:     Thom Gossom, Jr. is a television and film actor and producer who
             has appeared on numerous television series, including "Boston
             Legal," "Cold Case," "NYPD Blue" and "In the Heat of the Night;"
             and feature films, such as "Fight Club," "Jeepers Creepers II"
             and "Miss Evers' Boys." In 2004, Gossom founded Best Gurl
             Entertainment, which produced his acclaimed play, "Speak of Me As

             I Am." In 1975, he became the first black athlete to graduate
             from Auburn University.

    What:    Gossom will sign and read from his memoir, "Walk-On." A coming
             of-age tale about overcoming adversity and gaining success,
             "Walk-On" not only tells the story of how Gossom earned a spot on

             Auburn's football team, but it also offers a unique perspective
             on a major social change sweeping college athletics during the
             1970s, showing readers what it was like to be on the front lines
             of desegregation in the South. "Walk-On" is published by Borders
             and is available in Borders and Waldenbooks stores as well as on
             Borders.com.

    Why:     Gossom did not set out to be a ground breaker. He did not apply
             to Auburn University with the goal of being the first black
             athlete to graduate from the almost all-white college. He just
             knew that he wanted to play football and he wanted to play
             football at Auburn. A good student and a gifted athlete, Gossom
             was accepted to Auburn in 1970 and forever left the comfort of
             his segregated hometown boyhood to enter into a world of
             privilege that was just starting to grapple with desegregation.
             Loneliness, anger, jealousy and overt racism awaited him on and
             off the field. As Gossom fought for his place on the team-and on
             campus-he became part of the movement to make the world a better
             place for those who were to come after him, and in doing so,
             became part of history.

    When:    Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

    Where:   Borders
             1360 Westwood Boulevard
             Los Angeles, CA 90024
             (310) 475-3444

    Media:   Media interested in attending this event should contact Lita
             Weissman at (310) 475-3444, ext. 580 or at
             lweissma@bordersgroupinc.com.

             Media interested in interviewing Thom Gossom, Jr. or learning
             more about Borders' proprietary publishing program should contact

             Bonnie Schmick at (734) 477-1224 or at
             bschmick@bordersgroupinc.com.

    (Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO )

SOURCE Borders