Altoona, Pa. — Penn State Altoona's 53-year-old baseball player, John Wilson, is quickly gaining both local and national attention as one of the oldest student-athletes in NCAA history. The Pittsburgh native, who has lived in Altoona more than 20 years, is set to be a featured guest on Fox Sports "Best Damn Sports Show Period."
The show is scheduled to air at 11 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 26) on Fox Sports Pittsburgh. Wilson will be joined on set with hosts Chris Rose, former NBA player John Salley, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete and former major league pitcher Rob Dibble.
Wilson already has been featured in an article that appeared in USA Today. The article can be viewed at http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/baseball/2008-02-13-veteran_N.htm. He also was the subject of a three minute segment on the KDKA evening news in Pittsburgh, which can be seen at http://kdka.com/video/?id=38629@kdka.dayport.com.
"This is an exciting opportunity for John, and everyone at Penn State Altoona is thrilled by the attention he is receiving," said Penn State Altoona Athletics Director Fredina Ingold. "Because of his experiences, John is able to teach and share valuable life lessons with all of our student-athletes, particularly our baseball players. He continues to make a difference at Penn State Altoona, and now he is able to share his inspiring story with the rest of the country."
Wilson is a senior on the Lion baseball team, but his fascinating life story reaches far beyond the baseball diamond. He has been a player/coach for the squad over the last three years, and 2008 marks his final season of eligibility at Penn State Altoona. Nicknamed "The Difference Maker," Wilson spent the early part of his life overcoming drug and alcohol addiction and now tries to advise teammates and classmates about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse. With the support and friendship of some high profile names (including Dusty Baker, manager of the Cincinnati Reds) and an amazing childhood that revolved around America's Pastime and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wilson is on the path to graduation with hopes of returning to the counseling profession to continue helping others.