Michael Pilato certainly had a busy Homecoming week, with several major additions appearing on his Hiester Street mural. Football fans should recognize some of these new faces next to the “main” Joe Paterno mural image…

That’s Michael Zordich and Michael Mauti directly next to Paterno, who were moved from the panel across the street. Behind the two 2012 graduates is Matt Millen, a Penn State All-American and current ESPN personality who put himself in the crosshairs to defend his former coach immediately after the Freeh report was released when so few others were willing. Further right is Franco Harris, whom you all know by now.

“Matt Millen is there for many reasons, all having to do with success with honor,” Pilato said. “Some of you might remember the speech he gave to the players to encourage them to stay. ‘Forget about what you lost, his is what you have. I can only promise you, you will have a brotherhood. You may not realize it now, but that’s worth more than anything.’ Goosebumps. Franco Harris is up there for fighting for due process for a friend, a coach, and a legend that he loves.”

In another part of the mural, Pilato added offensive line coach and friend of the site Herb Hand — not for his short five-game Penn State coaching tenure, but for the numerous community contributions he has made already during his short time in Happy Valley. Hand participated in our charity Pizza Crawl this spring and also serves on the board of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Centre County, which provides support for victims of child abuse.

“The students at Penn State love Coach Hand, he has made quite an impact already,” Pilato said. “Every game, Coach will give me a cheer for the chalkboard he is holding.”

Pilato’s current projects include adding to his other mural in Williamsport and turning the sidewalk in front of the State College mural into a community brick walkway.