Sept. 13, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - As he left home for college at the University of Maryland, Ralph Friedgen's mother gave him a keepsake whose message he would

take to heart and hold dear for years to come. It was a simple needlepoint sign that read . . . "You Have to Pay the Price."

Whether a star high school quarterback under the tutelage of his father - a coaching legend in New York - to his tumultuous days as a player at College Park, to 32 years toiling as an assistant coach, Ralph Friedgen paid the price at every turn. And the sign sits in his office to this day, a constant reminder of the task at hand.

My Way! Football and Life Lessons with Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen ($24.95, Terrapin State Publishing) reveals not only how the Terrapins' coach turned around the dormant program with four bowls and an ACC Championship in six seasons, but the many teams and players that have defined his career.

"Kinda done it my way my whole life. Maybe not always the right way, but my way," Friedgen said. "It's pretty apropos."

Friedgen tells of growing up in Harrison, N.Y. the son of a no-nonsense football coach who told his son, when he considered quitting college football, that the locks on the doors of their home would be changed if he did because, "losers don't live here."

Faith, character, and family are values Friedgen discusses in the first book

about his life, along with the insanity of college recruiting and the mind games of not only coaching players, but leading young men. There are hilarious tales away from the game, too.

The early buzz on My Way has been strong throughout the sport as well as nationally:

"A remarkable look into a remarkable man. Keith Cavanaugh gives you a glimpse into Ralph Friedgen and his Terrapin football program that can only be seen behind-the-scenes." - Scott Van Pelt, ESPN anchor

"I consider Ralph a great friend, but also one of the most knowledgeable coaches in football - college or pro." - Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech Football Coach

"A vivid and moving account of the life and outstanding achievement of Coach Ralph Friedgen. A must read." - Deborah A. Yow, Maryland Athletics Director

Maryland beat writer Keith Cavanaugh and Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen produce a rare, candid look inside football's locker room and into its coaches' lives as well. Cavanaugh has covered the Terps since 1988 and Friedgen's football program since his arrival as head coach in 2000. Cavanaugh is the editor and publisher of Terrapin Times Magazine, an independent publication covering University of Maryland athletics, along with TerrapinTimes.com.

Friedgen was named national coach of the year in 2001 and has led the revival of Maryland's football program. He has taken the Terps to four bowl games in six years, including the BCS Orange Bowl in 2001. He is a former Maryland player and assistant coach.

My Way is Terrapin State Publishing's second release on Maryland Terrapin sports. Overtime is Our Time - The Inside Story of Maryland Terps' 2006 National Championship was a finalist for the Women's Sports Foundation's 2007 Billies Award for journalism excellence.