PROVO,
Utah – It was half-time at Brigham Young University homecoming game last
Saturday. All 65,000 seats at the LaVell Edwards football stadium were filled. The
crowd roared as the basketball team came out onto the field but nothing could
compare to the cheers when star-player, Tyler Haws walked out.
With
overwhelming support from success in basketball from a university of more than
30,000 and also the support of the world-wide Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, Tyler Haws, 22 is easily one of the most well-known names in
Latter-day Saint culture. Yet at a closer look, with family and friends who can
testify, Tyler may be more than a good basketball, but he is an even better
person.
The
stereotype for well-known athletes isn’t that of a good one. Whether it be in
organized, club sports leagues, high school organized sports, or college level
sports especially, the average athlete or “jock” isn’t known for being the
nicest person. Tyler recognized this at a young age and his lived his life by
it.
“I’ve
been in athletics my whole life and I’ve seen that type of athlete. When I came
to college I noticed it wasn’t any different. I made a decision that I would
never be that athlete and try to be an example to those around me.”
Recently,
Tyler has received a lot of media attention for leaving basketball after his
freshman year to serve a two-year mission in the Philippines. Tyler says that
lessons he learned on his mission has not only refined his character but has
also helped him to become a better athlete in the basketball world as well.
“When
I was in my first area, I had one companion that just hated me. Then one night
we both sat down and opened up to each other, and I did the best I could to
find things that would make him happy and make it work. We would crack jokes,
rap when we walked in the streets, dance around to weird songs. I found little
things that could make us close which ended up helping our friendship and us in
missionary work. Experiences like those help me still every day.”
Kayla
DeLaMare, 52, wife of David DeLaMare who was Tyler’s mission president, says
that Tyler was patient and driven to be a good missionary.
“People
knew who he was and he always took the time for people. He never looked over
anyone and made them feel special.”
Ben
DeLaMare, 18, son of David and Kayla says that Tyler was like a big brother to
him that was always humble and loved the Philippines. Ben says that everyone
just wanted to be his friend because he made people feel good about themselves.
“Something
I remember about Tyler is that he really cared about his family. He missed them
a lot while he was in the Philippines and wanted to make sure that he was a
good example to his younger brother.” says Ben.
Tyler’s
love for his family is extremely evident. Tyler’s grandfather, Ralph Haws, 74, says
that while he and his wife served an 18-month mission for the Mormon church in
Trinidad, Tyler emailed them every Sunday without miss.
Ralph
comments that he and his grandson have been great friends throughout the years.
Ralph says that he has been impressed how Tyler has handled all of the
attention he has gotten throughout the years.
“Tyler
knows that he has been extremely blessed and just wants to help.”
Ralph
talks about how above all, Tyler looks for opportunities to use ways he’s been
blessed to serve in his church and the youth around him.
“Whatever
the case, whether it be basketball or something else, Tyler just looks at it as
a vehicle to be able to serve.”
Regardless
of whatever the stereotype for athletes might be or how other athletes might
act. Tyler will continue to use his talents to help those around him. Tyler
sees everyone doing good as part of a big team working to a common goal.
“I
don’t see myself as being better than anyone else. We are all the same. We are
all one big team.”
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