Borders(R)-Published Memoir by Auburn University Football Star Thom Gossom, Jr. Goes on Sale Sept. 9

A gifted athlete and good student, Gossom was accepted to Auburn University in 1970 and forever left the comfort of his segregated hometown to enter into a world of privilege that was just starting to grapple with desegregation. Loneliness, anger and overt racism awaited him on and off the football field, but 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 a part of history.

Gossom was the school's second black football player, and in 1975, became the university's first black athlete to graduate. He played as a wide receiver on the 1972 team -- dubbed "The Amazins" -- which became one of the most fabled teams in school history, unexpectedly finishing the season with a 10-1 record and #5 ranking in the AP poll.

After moving on to a successful career as an actor and producer after graduation, Gossom was inspired to write "Walk-On," his first book, when he attended a 30th anniversary celebration for "The Amazins" in 2002. Gossom said, "I realized something the night of that reunion. After being away from Auburn for decades, I remembered what an important part of my life -- and of our country's history -- that period was. I think we all appreciated more what we had gone through together back then and how much we really meant to each other, and this book was my way of honoring my teammates."

"Much more than just a book about college football, this compelling memoir chronicles an important, profound cultural change in the 1970s South. It's insightful, honest and inspirational -- the kind of book you can't stop thinking about once you've finished. We're proud to bring this moving story to our customers as part of our ongoing proprietary publishing program," said Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing Rob Gruen.

Borders will host Gossom as he reads and signs copies of "Walk-On" at the following locations:

    Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.
    Borders
    4475 Roswell Road
    Marietta, GA 30062
    (770) 565-0947

    Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
    Borders
    1360 Westwood Boulevard
    Los Angeles, CA 90024
    (310) 475-3444

    Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
    Borders
    1539 E 53rd Street
    Chicago, IL 60615
    (773) 752-8663

"Walk-On" will be carried at Borders and Waldenbooks stores nationwide and will also be included in the Borders "Shortlist" -- the retailer's weekly e-mail to its Borders Rewards(R) loyalty program members that includes information from expert buyers on hot titles as well as discounts and special values. There are currently over 28 million Borders Rewards members.

Born and raised inBirmingham, Ala., 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." Thom divides his time betweenLos Angeles andFlorida, where he lives with his wife, Joyce. The couple has one son, Dixson.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered inAnn Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP), is a leading retailer of books, music and movies with more than 28,000 employees. Through its subsidiaries, the company operates more than 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) brand names and recently launched Borders.com for online shopping. For more information, visit http://www.borders.com/aboutus .

SOURCE Borders

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