At 58, Tom Cillo is rewriting the script on college football. This fall, the Lycoming College freshman—old enough to draw from his pension—took the field as a nose tackle, making him the oldest known NCAA Division III freshman in the trenches. Once burdened by "what ifs" about never having played the sport or attended college, Cillo decided it was now or never. With his children grown and his wife's cautious support, he enrolled at Lycoming, set on earning a spot on the team, per the AP.
Cillo's football experience was virtually nonexistent—he quit during high school training camp decades ago. To prepare, he trained with a longtime friend, sprinting uphill with heavy rocks, embracing exhausting flexibility drills, and enduring ice baths. But the hardest part wasn't the workouts—it was the onslaught of paperwork, the financial strain of tuition (partly paid using Cillo's pension), and the academic challenges after 40 years away from a classroom.
Despite his age, Cillo survived two weeks of grueling camp and made the junior varsity roster. He's no "stunt"—Cillo says he wants no special treatment, just to earn his place. Balancing classes, football, and the care of his 90-year-old mother, he brings a quiet edge and perspective to his Gen Z teammates, even landing an NIL deal with pain relief brand Aspercreme. This is the brand's first NIL deal, and it was approved within 72 hours after Aspercreme's parent company heard about Cillo, per the Athletic.
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Cillo's off-field support—rides, meals, advice—has made him a team favorite. Whether or not he eventually plays varsity, Cillo is all in, hoping his story inspires others to shed regret and chase long-held dreams. "If you have a passion, follow through with it," he says. "It's never too late."
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