MOUNT VERNON — Floyd Swanson’s lifelong love of sports touches nine decades and it’s still going strong.
Swanson has led an active life and sports has always played a part in it. Today, at the age of 81, Swanson is still active and can be found playing for The Station Break team in Mount Vernon’s over-60 softball league. As the league’s oldest player, Swanson is not one to brag.
“I am, by far, not the best player,” said Swanson. “But, I am not the worst player, either. Those 60- to 65-year-olds are like kids. They can really play.”
Swanson has been a Mount Vernon resident since 1963. He and his wife, Patricia, have been married for 20 years. Together, they have four children and 12 grandchildren. Currently, Swanson pitches and, occasionally, catches. But he has played every position in his time. After all these years, the joy is still there.
“I stay with it because I enjoy the association with these same guys every summer,” said Swanson. “We really enjoy ourselves. It gets to be pretty competitive, however.”
While it’s fun, the league is an important part of his life for another reason.
“Well, I really enjoy playing; however, I have one other thing in mind,” said Swanson. “I am a firm believer that it keeps my health better and that’s another reason I keep going. I probably enjoy it more than that reason.”
Everyone wants to know Swanson’s secret.
“They make comments such as, ‘We don’t understand how you do it,’” said Swanson. “They might say, ‘What do you do to be feeling so good at this age?’”
Swanson’s lifestyle has a good bit to do with it.
