Alumni Spotlight: Nichole Tyler
Former basketball and softball All-American Nichole Tyler recently reflected on her time at Alfred State. Tyler was an NJCAA All-American on the basketball court and a two-time All-Region III 1st team selection on the softball diamond. She also was the recipient of the Chancellor Award for Student-Athletes and was named the Alfred State Freshmen and Senior Athlete of the Year.
On the basketball court, she scored 916 points in her career which was the most in school history at the time. She now is 4th all-time. On the softball field, she was a career .374 hitter (73 for 195) with four homers and 53 RBI.
Tyler transfered to Saint Leo and played two years for the Lions basketball team while earning a bachelor's degree in Psychology. She also has a master's degree in Special Education from Hofstra.
Currently she is a special education teacher in Ft. Myers, FL. She is also a real estate agent.
How did playing on a team help you in your professional career post-graduation? Playing on team has given many different skills. It taught me how to be a leader, a coach and play as a team player in the workforce. The biggest lesson that playing on a team has taught me is "perseverance". Work has many obstacles socially, emotional and sometimes physically; but that doesn't mean you give up. You always push with everything you have; to the very end.
What memory sticks out the most from your time here at Alfred State? The memory that sticks out the most is the bus rides to and from all sporting events. I enjoyed the comradery of both the women's and men's teams to and from away games.
*OK and maybe HOTDOG WEEKEND (that I never could attend because our Softball coach would always make us have an away game on that weekend)
*Also, walking up that crazy hill during the snow storms to get to practice.
What athletic accomplishment are you most proud of? The athletic accomplishment that I am must proud of is breaking the record for All-Time Leading Scorer for Gina Boyd. I was also very proud to be named her first All American (3rd team).
*Also, wining Freshman & Senior Athlete of the Year
What professional athlete did you look up to the most when you were a kid? The professional athlete that I always looked up to was Allen Iverson.
What is one piece advice you would give to our current student-athletes? If I had to give advice to current student athletes is to leave your heart out on that floor/field every single game. Also, ENJOY every single moment. I can promise you that you will look back and smile.