Summary: At an age when many would consider hanging up their dreams alongside their careers, Tim "Pops" Frisby shows us that it's never too late to pursue your passions. After a distinguished 20-year career in the U.S. Army, Frisby enrolled at the University of South Carolina and joined the college football team, proving age is just a number when it comes to achieving your goals.
Tim Frisby, affectionately known as "Pops," harbored a dream from his high school days of playing college football. However, feeling the need for maturity and growth, he chose a different path after graduation, enlisting in the U.S. Army. His service was commendable, involving stints with the 82nd Airborne and the elite Army Rangers, and deployments in significant conflicts like the First Gulf War and the Kosovo conflict.
Throughout his 20-year military career, which included the challenges of war, marriage, and fatherhood to six children, Frisby never let go of his collegiate football dream.
Upon retiring from the military at 39, Frisby took a bold step towards realizing his long-held dream. He relocated his family to Columbia, South Carolina, and enrolled as a freshman at the University of South Carolina. Despite his age, he was not alone in pursuing higher education later in life. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students aged 35 and older accounted for roughly 10% of all college and graduate students in 2019.
What set Frisby apart was his determination to not only study but also to compete in Division One college football. Joining the South Carolina Gamecocks, he trained and played alongside teammates who were half his age.
Frisby's persistence paid off when he was invited to participate in fall drills and subsequently made the team. His debut came at a game against Troy, where he played the final four plays, an inclusion that spoke volumes about his dedication and the respect he commanded from figures like the legendary coach Lou Holtz. Holtz himself expressed immense respect for Frisby, highlighting his military service and commitment to the team.
Off the field, Frisby excelled academically, maintaining a 3.88 GPA. His story gained national attention, featuring on platforms such as ESPN’s “College GameDay,” ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and in publications like the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
Tim Frisby's story is a powerful testament to the idea that it's never too late to pursue your dreams. His journey challenges the conventional timelines set for personal achievements and underscores the importance of determination and hard work. Whether it's starting a new career, pursuing education, or playing college football, age should not be a deterrent.
In a world where the average retirement age is gradually increasing—reaching 66 years in countries like the USA according to the U.S. Census Bureau—stories like Frisby's are not just inspiring but also increasingly relevant. They encourage individuals to rethink what is possible in their later years and to act on their ambitions, no matter their age.
Tim Frisby's example shows that with perseverance and courage, any goal is attainable. His life prompts us all to reconsider our own aspirations and the arbitrary limits we might place on them based on age. Whether at 40 or beyond, the time to act on your dreams is now.
