As I was exploring the wide world of college sports on the internet late last night, I came across the headline, “38-year-old bus driver makes College basketball team – end of Season Update.” It was a really strange choice to click on the link but luckily I found gold, along with the best comeback story of the year. Move over Johnny Manziel, 38 year old Dan Stoddard is the new official owner of #ComebackSZN.
In the spring of 2017, the 6’8″ Stoddard weighed about 380 pounds when the coach of Algonquin College in Ottawa, Trevor Costello, spotted him at a recreational tournament and approached him about playing. Six months later and 60 pounds lighter, “Old Man Dan” became an official member of the Thunder and competed in the 2017-2018 season.
In a follow up article with the Ottawa Citizen Stoddard described his season as disappointing but c’mon, the dude is pushing 40, has an entire family with two children, and drives a bus as a job. Can you imagine getting on a bus at school and seeing Marvin Bagley as your driver? Neither could I. Can you imagine being a college basketball player at a small school and having someone you thought was a players dad box you out and post you up? No, neither could I either.
38 year old rookie Dan Stoddard for @ALGThunder is an instant fan favourite. Great story. Changing body & life as a college student-athlete. pic.twitter.com/tJtSF9hg4F
— Barry Hayes (@hoopstarscanada) October 6, 2017
What makes his story even more inspiring is that he has another year of eligibility left and he’s trying to drop even more weight for next year apparently. I struggle finding the time to eat, shower, and shit before I leave for class in the morning and this man can workout three times a day, work bus shifts, take online classes, raise children, and play basketball all at once. Sheesh. Seems like a much better comeback story than Johnny Football to me.
Dan’s kids also made him an Instagram page so be sure to follow him @oldmandan24