Former Penn State Altoona baseball player John Wilson, profiled on D3baseball.com, will be back in a familiar role with the team this spring, but it won't involve pinch hit at-bats or outfield assists. The 54-year-old Wilson, who was a four-year player for the Lions from 2005-2008 and has one year of coursework remaining, was named an assistant coach earlier this week, head coach Joe Piotti confirmed.

"John has been an important part of our team for four years, so it seemed like a natural transition to officially bring him on board as a coach," said Piotti, who, along with Wilson, remains active in the Altoona City Baseball League each summer. "He will be in charge of the outfielders and continue to coach first base. I know John is excited about the opportunity to remain active with the team."

Wilson received national attention last spring as one of the oldest college baseball players in NCAA history, suiting up for the Lions as a 53-year-old reserve outfielder. His story was documented in the USA Today, the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, and the Altoona Mirror. He was a guest on the Fox Sports Net show The Best Damn Sports Show Period and was the subject of numerous other television features.

But even more compelling and inspiring, and the primary reason Wilson is respected and admired by his teammates, is what he endured off the diamond. As a teenager growing up in the rough Lower Hill District of Pittsburgh, Wilson battled drug and alcohol addiction for years before finally entering rehabilitation and eventually relocating to central Pennsylvania. He began counseling his fellow residents and eventually became a Certified Addictions Counselor in 1997. Three years after his certification expired in 2001, Wilson decided to enroll at Penn State Altoona as a full-time 50-year-old student.

Wilson knew Piotti from their days in the City League and immediately looked up his old friend. From a pool of more than 60 players, Wilson made the 30-man roster and has been a fixture on the team ever since.

Despite seeing limited time and primarily serving as first base coach, Wilson did smack five career hits, two doubles, and scored six runs. On senior recognition day, he went 3-8 in a doubleheader against Franciscan University and made a highlight-reel catch in right field.

Wilson plans to graduate in the spring of 2009 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. He will also have earned a certificate in Chemical Dependency and wants to return to the counseling field. This past summer, Wilson worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate Altoona Curve as a video operations assistant, filming hitters and pitchers to assist the Pirates roving coordinators with player instruction and development.

The Lions open the season in Winter Haven, Florida, for a series of games over spring break from March 8-14.