1993 LMHS graduate Paul Books was truly a football player, and he loved the game. Defined by the Cincinnati Enquirer as, "Perhaps the most terrifying player in the area on the defensive side of the ball." Books was a two-sport star at LMHS while earning six total varsity letters in baseball and football. However, football was his passion and where he excelled. Books started both ways and played special teams for the Panthers, rarely coming off the field. In 1992, Books helped lead Little Miami to the outright FAVC football championship and went 10-0 for the first time in school history. In Week 11, the Panthers won their first playoff game in school history before falling short in a heartbreaker in the Regional Finals. Books was a three-time All-FAVC performer in football, while also being named the 1992 FAVC Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, Books earned Division III first-team All-Southwest District and D-III second-team All-Ohio honors in '92. Also, Books' name is imprinted throughout the Little Miami football record book with marks that may never be matched. The Enquirer went on to state, "If he wasn't there to make the play, he usually inspired someone else to make it for him."
After graduation, he served as team captain and middle linebacker for Lackawanna Junior College’s inaugural team, as well as a defensive end at the College of DuPage, where their team won the RC Cola Bowl in 1995.
Paul later returned to school in 2015 and finished his bachelor's degree in Health Promotion and Education from the University of Cincinnati and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan University in St. Louis, Missouri, 2020. Today, Paul, continues to serve the Warren County area with his performance and wellness clinic in Mason, and as the team chiropractic physician for the Cincinnati BEN-GAL cheerleaders since 2022.Â
Baseball – 3 years
Football – 3 years
Notable Football Awards:
1992
• FAVC: 1st team
• FAVC: Defensive Player of The Year
• All Area: 1st Team
• Southwest Ohio District: 1St Team
• Division II & III Metro: 1st team
• ALL OHIO: 2nd Team
• East-West All-Star: Team Captain
• Four-Year Participant
• Western Star: MVP
• Team: Outstanding Defensive Player
• Tackles: 126 regular season, 28 playoffs
1991
• ALL AREA: Special Mention
• FAVC: 2nd team
• Tackles: 120
1990
• FAVC: 2nd team
• Tackles: 95
School Records:
• Most Career Tackles: 369
• Career Punting Yards: 106 punts for 3,608 yards, 34.03 average
• Punting Average: 39.1 yards (shared)
Football Career Notes:
• Passing: 4 completions for 112 yards / 2 TDs
• Receiving: 15 receptions for 169 yards / 2 TDs
• Scoring: rushing 16 TDs
• Rushing: 305 carries for 1,783 yards, 5.85 average
• Kicking Scoring: 17 PAT’s, 1 Field Goal, 20 points
• Punting: 106 punts for 3,608, 34.03 average*
• Kickoff Returns: 21 carries for 246 yards, 11.7 average
• Fumble Recoveries: 5
• Interceptions: 5
• First and Only LMHS Undefeated Football Team, FAVC Season 1992
• First LMHS Football Team in school History to enter Playoffs 1992*
