'The Biggest Loser' to speak at YMCA Banquet

GREENVILLE — Back in December, Patrick House was more than 1,400 miles away from his home. But even outside U.S. soil, the Vicksburg native, former Delta State offensive lineman and winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” was picked out of the crowd.
“I was in the Cayman Islands and people knew who I was,” said House, who last month won the weight loss competition along with $250,000 after dropping 181 pounds, a 45.5 percent dropoff from his initial weight of 400.
House, who played at DSU from 2001-04, has since accepted a mentor position in South Carolina at MindStream Academy, which encourages a healthy lifestyle for teenagers.
But before he settles in at his new home, House will be the guest speaker next Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. at the seventh Annual YMCA Banquet.
With House’s success on the show, his life has turned around drastically in the last year. Put it this way: this time last year House got laid off from his sales rep job with a Jackson-based company. Now the 28-year-old father of two is a recognized face around the globe.
Now with a slimmer physique and a new leash on life, House said the new Patrick House is around to stay.
“My goal is stay below 250 (pounds),” he said Tuesday night by phone from South Carolina.
House advanced to the final show in part because of his alliance with Frado Dinten, a 43-year-old New York native.
Dinten, who finished second on the show, said he was shocked by their transformations. The weight looks good now – but in the long run is when it will really pay off, he added.
“I don’t have Type II Diabetes anymore because of ‘The Biggest Loser,” said Dinton Tuesday by phone from South Carolina. “I don’t take one pill or have to use an IV; I’m cured.”
Now that House is a household name, he plans to use his newfound stardom for good causes like his new youth mentor job at MindStream and his speaking engagement next Tuesday at the Greenville YMCA
And knowing that people look up to him will help keep him on his toes, said House.
“I can’t be 400 pounds and be a mentor,” he said. “It’s more than just a job now. It keeps me on track with my lifestyle.”
Safe to say, it was a good year in 2010 for the former DSU Statesmen House and the current Statesmen team, who played in the Division II National Championship on ESPN2 last month against Minnesota-Duluth.
“It says a lot when I can be in the Camen Islands and still be able to watch my Fighting Okra play.”
The YMCA Banquet is scheduled to start Jan. 11 at 5:30 p.m., with dinner before the program kicking off at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by Friday at 1688 Fairground Road. For more information, contact the YMCA at 335-7258.