Orange Jello And Family Kept 51 Year Old Rookie Running In Top Gear
The opportunity to play on the same lacrosse team as his two sons - Keegan and Kayden - was just too much for Moose Jaw Senior B Mafia’s Mike Dudley to pass up.
A former lacrosse coach Mike jumped at the opportunity to play on the same team as his sons.
“I am a rookie. Soon to be a 52 year old rookie,” he said, adding “I coached it before when the boys were little but I’ve never played it.”
“They were putting a team together and my son convinced me to come and play. He said dad we need bodies for the team and it would be cool to play with you. It’s the only opportunity I had in 30 years of coaching to play with my boys,” Mike said was the driving motivation he had to join Mafia’s ranks.
Mike Dudley says despite being stiff and sore at times playing lacrosse this season was well worth it - MJ Independent photo
He said he can feel the pain in his 50 year plus body at times.
“I hurt. Some days I hurt a lot. The guys in the team laugh at me. They call me ‘Papa Duds’ but orange Jello is the trick for me. I drink an orange Jello after every game and I feel good.”
There was a big transition from coaching to playing lacrosse.
“When we first started the season I’m not going to lie I was out of my element I didn’t know coaching and playing are two different things. When we started the game it was fast paced, you learned a lot and you learned fast. The guys were really good putting up with me,” he said.
Playing on the same team as his sons was a big part of Mike coming out to play.
“It was actually one of the coolest things I’ve ever done to play with my boys. I never had a chance in hockey or anything like that. Given the opportunity to do something like this was fabulous.”
Asked about similarities with Gordie Howe who came out of retirement to play with his two sons he downplayed the connection.
“I don’t know if I’m in that calibre of athlete but I’m having fun.”
The Dudley Connection (l - r) - Keegan Dudley, Mike Dudley and Kayden Dudley
Asked about what was the worst thing in the season he said there really wasn’t anything that could be labelled bad.
“It’s a growing year. It’s a building year. I can’t really say there was anything bad…I can’t really complain. The guys have been great. The team has been good. The community has been stepping up.”
Mike is part of five Mafia players who until this year have never played lacrosse in their lives. And they’ve entered into a semi-pro competitive league.
About Friday night’s matchup against the Standing Buffalo Fighting Sioux and their five Saskatoon Rush players Mike is philosophical.
“I don’t think there are many 50 year olds that can say they went up against the pros.”
About next year he plans to play for Mafia if they’ll have him.
