Athlete Profile: Elizabeth Tyson

Shepherd University's slogan is "Expect the Unexpected", and that's what you get when you meet Elizabeth Tyson, or Liz to her friends. This young woman is above exceptional in not only her academic career, but also in all the extracurricular activities.

Elizabeth Tyson is all smiles on first meeting , this unimposing young woman cheerfully greets friends as she sits in the lobby of the wellness center. Fresh from finishing one of her last midterms Tyson relaxes with a cup of coffee and starts telling her story.

A senior in her final academic semester here at Shepherd, Tyson will be receiving her degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies with a concentration in Exercise Studies. With a course load that normally averages to be about 20 hours per semester, it hard to think that Tyson has time for anything else.

" I work with the Athletic Trainers and also a big part of my time is the (Shepherd Ram) band." Tyson declared.

A typical Saturday for Tyson means being up at eight a.m. to be at band practice where she not only participates in the color guard, but also showcases an unusual talent. She is a twirler.

 " I always wanted to be a twirler since I was really young." She lamented.

Elizabeth realized that dream in middle school when she started training in baton twirling, and since then it has been a passion of hers. One of the main reasons she credits for her coming to Shepherd is that she could twirl on the collegiate level.

"Liz is a very hard worker and a good leader, it's her last year and we are really going to miss her." Lori Reynolds, freshman and follower twirler, spoke of Tyson.

After practicing for the half-time show, Tyson runs off to work with the football team as an athletic trainer. On the work study program, Tyson has worked as an athletic trainer for the past several years. By doing the job as trainer it gets her a step closer to her goal of becoming a Physical Therapist.

"She has been able pick up on things that some don't, a big part is that she has a great personality that has allowed her to connect with the players. Some of them (the players) will only work with her."  Gayle Conner , Shepherd's Head athletic trainer for the past 27 years.

Elizabeth works in the training room during the game, and when half-time rolls around she's on the field with the band performing with her flags, batons, and portraying Minnie during "Minnie the Moocher". Tyson gives her all on the field and then runs back to work as a trainer once again.

To end her Saturday Tyson usually ends up traveling with either the marching band or the football team. Tyson's time is split even further between her studies and even more extra-curricular activities that she participates in during the school year.

With everything that she does, family is her biggest push in life. Even with her passion for being an athletic trainer, she is choosing to continue her education in order to become a physical therapist so she can tackle her biggest goal to have a family.