Rooney Jr. book signing draws faithful following
Kit Paulsen, of Washington, talks with Art Rooney Jr. Saturday at a signing of his book, “A Passion for Art and Football” at the World West Galleries, 56 North Main St., Washington.
Art Rooney Jr., illustrator Ron Mahoney and art director Peter West greet fans Saturday at World West Galleries, owned by West, for a book signing for Rooney’s A Passion for Art and Football.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans and Art Rooney Jr. admirers flocked to World West Galleries on North Main Street Saturday for a chance to meet part of the legendary Rooney family.
Rooney, a former director of scouting for the Steelers, and World West Galleries owner, Peter West, recently launched “A Passion for Art and Football,” a recollection of Rooney’s memories of working with the storied franchise. West, who was the art director for the book, said the stories start with Rooney’s earliest accounts with the Steelers, when he was 2 years old.
“This is a chronological account of great players and personnel that Rooney knew since he was a little kid,” West said.
Rooney said the book was a “passion.”
He said “everyone had a great time” creating and completing the book.
“We had a lot of fun,” Rooney said.
The book also includes family history, discusses different decades within the Steelers organization and includes family and player photographs and illustrations.
“He had a vision to do a black-and-white book,” West said of the finished product.
More than 100 people crowded the gallery, with many waiting in line for more than an hour to meet Rooney and get his autograph. Proceeds from the day’s event went to the Mel Blount Youth Home in Claysville.
Leslie Harrah, of Washington, bought two books, one of which is slated to be a Christmas present. Ann Ballein, of Bentleyville, also plans to the use her copy of the book as a gift.
“I made an effort to get here,” she said.
Others, including Jeff Weber of Greensburg, came to show their support for Rooney and West. Weber, a contributor to the book, was among those who waited more than an hour to have his copy signed.
“I’m a big sports fan, and this is a terrific book,” he said.
“A Passion for Art and Football” can be purchased at Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh and St.Vincent’s College in Latrobe.
Hard-cover copies can be purchased for $45 and paperbacks are $25. All proceeds are slated to benefit area charities.