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John Wilson:
A Passion for the Game Photography By: Branden Snyder Adult college students in the classroom may be common; a 50-year-old trying out for the college baseball team? That's rare. For John Wilson, this fall was the beginning of his freshman year of college, 32 years after high school, and he is also practicing with the Penn State Altoona baseball team. "He's [Wilson] better than half the kids on our team. I think that his knowledge for baseball, either way, is going to help the team and provide a good player; good coach, whatever it may be," Sophomore and Penn State Altoona baseball player Sean Greenland said. "I still have a passion for the game and baseball really makes me happy," Wilson said. Baseball has been a big part of his life since childhood and continuing it in college has proven to be quite a challenge for him. By practicing and working out almost everyday Wilson believes that giving his best every practice will hopefully help him make the team. Joe Piotti, Penn State Altoona baseball coach, says this experience has been unusual because an older person has never come out for the baseball team. "He's been around baseball for a long time so he knows pretty much what's going on with the game. He's going to be helpful to us not only just playing wise but probably as an assistant with us," Piotti said." That would be a challenge and that's something I'd think about now, coaching and helping the team out in some capacity, if I'm not able to make the team," Wilson said. To help him adjust to college, Wilson's friends, all people affiliated with major league baseball, keep in contact to give him inspiration. Dusty Baker; manager of the Chicago Cubs, who met Wilson in Pittsburgh during the 70s is assisting him at Penn State Altoona and keeps in contact with Wilson while he's attending college. "He's been very instrumental in my life and gives me a lot of inspiration to this day," Wilson said of Baker. After college, Wilson plans to return to the drug and alcohol program as a counselor focusing on the criminal justice system. Wilson also plans to continue to play baseball. "It's something I enjoy doing and I hope I will be able to continue to play for many more years," Wilson said. His advice for older people who want to start college, "I think that anyone who's put off going to school should just go for it, take a risk." |