WISE - - The University of Virginia's College at Wise's athletic department announces Steve Tyler '02 as part of the 2022 Hall of Fame Class.
A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Tyler came to UVA Wise to play football before a knee injury changed his course. Tyler would approach then Head Baseball Coach Hank Banner about joining the program and the rest is history.
Tyler would earn Appalachian Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors his first season in a baseball uniform before capping his career as an Honorable Mention All-American. The combination makes him the only player in program history to earn both awards during their career.
Known for his versatility and level-headedness, Tyler made an instant impact on the diamond. Tyler batted .403 with 13 doubles, seven home runs and 34 RBI in his inaugural collegiate campaign while swiping seven bases. In addition to his AAC Freshman of the Year honor, Tyler also picked up All-AAC acclaim for his work.
Tyler would continue to be Mr. Consistent over the next two seasons by batting over .300 and combining to line 18 doubles. However, it was his senior season in 2002 when everything came together for the eventual UVA Wise Hall of Famer.
As a senior, Tyler hit .429 with a single-season program record 21 doubles and a single-season program record 55 runs scored. That season, he reached base a .513 clip while slugging .742 en route to the All-America honor.
Tyler's work aided the Cavaliers to the NAIA Region XII Tournament, marking the program's first appearance since 1990.
Overall, Tyler ranks second in program history in RBI (145), second in doubles (52), third in hits (207), third in slugging (.615), third in home runs (25), seventh in batting average (.370), and eighth in on base percentage (.438).
Off the field, Tyler served as a member of the UVA Wise Student Government Association while also serving in various leadership roles in Pi Lamba Phi Fraternity.
He graduated from UVA Wise with degrees in biology and foreign studies and has spent the last 20 years as a school teacher and middle school baseball coach. Today, he lives in Virginia Beach with his family.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place inside the Prior Center on Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.
