“Every opportunity you get is another opportunity to succeed, so you might as well get out there and try to do what you can.”
-Tyler Dyson, College Student
Braden River High School Alumni
It didn’t take Tyler Dyson long to find his way around a baseball field. He’s been playing with his father and older brother since he was two years old. The best night of his life? He says it’s June 27, 2017.
That’s when the 2016 Braden River High School graduate would become a part of history. Dyson started the game for the Florida Gators on the pitcher’s mound, helping them claim victory in the College World Series – the first time ever for the University of Florida baseball team.
We recently met up with Dyson and a member of the Pirates’ coaching staff on the baseball field at Braden River High School. The win, or ‘W’ as he calls it, is something that the 18-year old won’t soon forget.
“To play in the National Championship game, especially as a freshman — it was an amazing feeling,” said Dyson to his former coach as he tossed a ball, “I don’t think that there’s anything that can top it.”
The feeling was mutual for Associate Head Coach Matthew Bowling. He boasted, “It was a joy as your former coach to watch you; that was pretty incredible. You don’t get much of an opportunity as a high school coach to see that.”
Coach Bowling isn’t the only one closely watching Dyson’s career. He had text messages, emails, and messages on social media from hundreds of friends, family, and fans including Pirates’ Head Baseball Coach Craig Page.
“Tyler is a true scholar and athlete. Not only is he an amazing baseball player, but also a great student — and an even better person,” wrote Page in a text message, “We know this is just the beginning.”
Dyson says his fondest memories from Braden River High School are the relationships that he built. They are strong — much like the support of Dyson’s parents — who he thanks for being there through all of the ups and downs in school and sports.
After winning on college baseball’s biggest stage, Dyson only has one regret. “That I could never bring a District Title here,” he said to Bowling. The Pirates went on to win the District Championship in 2017, one year after Dyson graduated.
Bowling laughed and said, “We won the District Championship; you won the National Championship. Which one do you want?” Dyson replied, “I’ll take the National Championship.”
Tyler Dyson dreams of being in the big leagues, but his heart won’t ever be far from home. On a hot summer day on a ball field in Florida, the humble young man wipes his brow and gives autographed baseballs to the children of his former coach; a man he now calls “a close friend.”
“There’s [sic] a lot of great athletes, a lot of great people that come through this area,” said Dyson. “What comes to my mind about living in Manatee County? Hopefully I’m creating a legacy of how to pave the way out here.”
Fast Facts about Tyler Dyson:
- Attended Freedom Elementary & Haile Middle School
- Played baseball and basketball for Braden River High
- Graduated – Science Technology and Health Academy
- Participated in Student Government Association
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