The Current Meet the 58-year-old who made his college football team
Oct 20, 2025
Meet Tom Cillo, a retiree who made waves by earning a spot on the Lycoming College football team at 58. He shares his inspiring journey, fueled by a long-held passion for football and encouragement from friends. Tom opens up about returning to college after 41 years, navigating life with much younger classmates, and his rigorous training regimen. He reflects on the joy of earning his roster spot and the emotional connections he made with teammates, while encouraging others over 50 to chase their dreams despite fears.
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Late Start, Big Dream
- Tom Cillo returned to college at 58 and tried out for football despite never playing organized football before.
- He credited a friend (and trainer) Dave for sparking and supporting the idea to pursue his long-held dream.
Application Fears And A Push
- Tom described the hurdles of applying decades after high school, including getting old transcripts and wrestling with cold feet.
- His friend Dave pushed him past fears about injury, academics, and finances to commit to trying.
Study Smart And Value Time
- Dave told Tom to sit up front, take great notes and ask questions to handle academics after a long break.
- He also advised that time is the only real value and encouraged using it intentionally rather than fearing financial costs.