Penn State Altoona News

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 431 hits

Baseball Player to Appear on Fox Sports Show

Penn State Altoona 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 tentatively schedule to air Tuesday, February 26, on Fox Sports Pittsburgh at 11 p.m. eastern time. He will be joined on set with hosts Chris Rose, John Salley (ex-NBA player), Rodney Peete (ex-NFL player), and Rob Dibble (ex-MLB player) for a segment lasting approximately seven to eight minutes. Wilson already has been featured in an article that appeared in USA Today ( http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/baseball/2008-02-13-veteran_N.htm) and just last week was the subject of a three minute segment on the 6 p.m. KDKA evening news in Pittsburgh ( http://kdka.com/video/?id=38629@kdka.dayport.com). Tuesday will mark his debut on the television sports talk show circuit.

"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 (Dusty Baker -- manager of the Cincinnati Reds) and an amazing childhood that revolved around America's Pastime and the Pittsburgh Pirates, John Wilson is on the path to graduation with hopes of returning to the counseling profession to continue helping others and making a difference.

More information regarding this release can be obtained by calling the Penn State Altoona Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at 814-949-5410.