All in the Family: Father, Son Play on Same College Basketball Team

by Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Katie Wiedemann

Story Created: Feb 18, 2013 at 9:58 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 19, 2013 at 12:07 AM CDT

DUBUQUE, Iowa - As first year stand out Caleb Rooter penetrates the lane, he passes the ball to a familiar face, his 54-year-old father, Paul.

"I'm teaching him." Paul said, "I look to him to tell me what to do," Caleb said.

Talk about role reversal.

Back in the early 1980's Paul was The Emmaus Eagle's Most Valuable Player, until he quit school and left the team.

"I went back to the farm and had six kids, always wanting to go back to school," Paul said.

More than three decades later, that's just what he is doing. While his legs don't move as fast as they did back then, Paul holds his own against the young guys.

"He's a phenomenal passer," said Caleb. "He's got great vision and quick hands. "

In some ways Paul is his team's secret weapon by being a crowd favorite.

"At an away game, he throws up a granny shot from half court and just drains it. And the whole crowd goes nuts, " said Caleb.

Paul's reality is re-living his youth. Something so many of us never get to do.

"It's a dream come true," said the elder Rooter along side the one person who's kept him young all these years.

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