LYCOMING COLLEGE LAUNCHES A UNIQUE PRE-MED COACHING PROGRAM Tom Cillo, a 59-year-old first-year student at Lycoming College, is chasing his lifelong dream of playing college football, making him one of the oldest athletes to attempt this feat. After decades as a powerlifter — breaking a world record in 2024 with a 580-pound deadlift — Cillo retired after 33 years with the City of Williamsport and enrolled at Lycoming to pursue a bachelor’s degree and join the football team as a defensive lineman. His journey began with a call to a former teammate, leading to a meeting with Lycoming’s head football coach Mike Clark ’93, who was impressed by Cillo’s determination and physical fitness. Despite his age, Cillo endured the grueling preseason camp, outperforming some younger players in conditioning drills. His story went viral after he posted a video on Instagram, inspiring many with his message, “You’re never too old to chase your dream.” Cillo also signed an NIL deal with Aspercreme, becoming the oldest athlete to do so, and 59-YEAR-OLD DEFENSIVE LINEMAN MAKING HEADLINES FOR WARRIOR FOOTBALL will receive a four-year supply of pain relief products. Cillo’s path hasn’t been easy. He battled addiction in his youth and spent years rebuilding his life through fitness. Now, he’s learning the nuances of football while mentoring younger teammates. Though playing time isn’t guaranteed, Cillo remains committed, saying, “I’m here grinding every day.” He’s making his mark in the classroom as well, having earned a spot on the Dean’s List for the fall semester. His story is a testament to resilience, proving that passion and perseverance can defy age and expectations. Since his Warrior debut, Cillo has been interviewed by numerous local and national media outlets, including ABC News, Associated Press, CBS Sports College Football, Fox Business, Good Morning America, People, and the Today Show. You can watch Marty Smith interview Cillo on ESPN College GameDay at www.lycoming.edu/tomcillo. Lycoming College has launched Lyco White Coat, a program designed to help pre-med students gain admission to medical school through mentorship. With the national acceptance rate for medical school at 41 percent, the program leverages the College’s 16,000-member alumni network to pair students with experienced physicians who share similar professional interests. Mentorship begins in the first year and continues through admission, guiding academic planning, applications, and interviews. Advisors offer targeted support such as MCAT preparation, essay feedback, mock interviews, and coaching. Lycoming provides multiple pre-med pathways through majors including biochemistry, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology, along with research opportunities through programs like NSF’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates and faculty-led projects. The College benefits from proximity to UPMC Susquehanna and other local healthcare providers, giving students access to clinical shadowing, internships, and volunteer experiences, and a pipeline affiliation with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine guarantees up to three spots annually for qualified Lycoming graduates in its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. “The pre-medical industry is bursting with consulting services that promise to help people claim their place in medical school. These services, however, can cost many thousands of dollars. Lycoming is offering a very competitive — and very personalized — service at no additional charge to its students,” said Marina Vernalis, D.O. ’73, former chief of cardiology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and consultant to the U.S. Army Surgeon General. “Working as a physician is an extremely rewarding and stimulating career, and at a time when more doctors are needed to address an aging and growing population, Lycoming College wants to help students overcome barriers to entry and pursue their passions.” 8 LYCOMING COLLEGE 2026 SPRING MAGAZINE
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