As much as it appears that there is hardly anything for kids and teenagers to do in the Tyrone area, sometimes the eyes don’t have to look as far as one might think. The school district puts plenty of activities into the Tyrone youth’s eyesight.
The Tyrone Area School District has always been well respected for its sports programs and coaching staffs. Tyrone has experienced recent statewide success with its football, basketball and track programs, along with other sports. And a student doesn’t have to be an especially gifted athlete to participate in such programs.
There are many opportunities for youths athletically. The Tyrone Area School District offers 22 interscholastic sports that teach youths not only athletic skills, but overly important lessons for life in general.
Such a list doesn’t include the band, choir, drama and other offered activities by the school district that kids and teenagers can participate in. The High School even offers an intramural sports program during the school year that is open to everyone.
Even with the success of the sports programs at Tyrone, numbers are decreasing every year for participants. Not in all sports, but in some cases. Tyrone Area High School Athletic Director, Tony Yaniello, commented on the drop in numbers.
“In recent years the number of participants has decreased in some of our sports,” Yaniello said. “Football numbers have gone from over 40 to 50 players to finishing with only 30 last season after coming off of another District championship the year before.” He added, “Varsity Wrestling numbers have gone from middle to upper twenties to lower teens last year.”
Sports offer youths a chance to work together as a team, learn how to set and reach goals, develop lasting friendships and a number of equally important concepts. All teaches kids good work ethic and determination that will further a person’s development into adulthood and the rest of his or her life.
Coaches at Tyrone provide opportunities for students to participate in year round programs with optional practices and clinics going on throughout the summers and off seasons.
The High School and Elementary gyms, swimming pool and outdoor facilities are scheduled all summer with clinics and practices, not to mention summer leagues that Tyrone participates in such as softball, baseball, basketball, wrestling, volleyball, tennis, football, swimming, soccer, golf and cheerleading camps and practices.
Year round there is always something going on in the sports programs at the Tyrone Area High School. But coaches and athletic directors can’t make students participate in sports.
“Of course we strongly encourage kids to participate in our sports programs, but they have to be willing to get involved.”Yaniello added. “Without the kids, obviously there aren’t sports. Hopefully the numbers don’t get as low as to where we have to begin dropping some of our more prestigious programs. We provide the sports, we provide great coaches and we have excellent facilities. But we can’t go out and play for them,” added Yaniello.
There are many Tyrone youths and teenagers that do participate in sports at Tyrone, and those individuals are highly commended for their efforts. For the most part, those individuals that are deeply involved in the athletic programs at Tyrone don’t have any problems finding things to do in Tyrone.
One such individual is Tyler Mertiff, who will be a senior this coming year and is a four sport letter winner this past year at Tyrone. Mertiff obviously stays busy during the school year and summer because of sports.
“Being in four sports doesn’t allow me to hang-out with the downtown crowd. I was brought up to be involved in sports.” Mertiff added, “Sports keeps my mind focused on not only athletics, but academics also.”
The opportunities at the Tyrone Area High School in the sports programs are available. The problem with finding things to do in the Tyrone area is evident also. Sports aren’t for everyone; in fact some people don’t have any ambition to participate. Some young people have to work and commit to other activities. But opportunities are presented for the young people to be involved year round, choices decide whether or not there is anything to do.
Sports are another provider for an outlet in Tyrone. Youths and teenagers can grasp that option or they can choose to ignore it. Being involved in sports can be valuable and at the same time, provide kids with something to participate in.
Not having anything to do sometimes can contribute to being unwilling to find something new and positive to participate in.
Editor’s Note: Our series of There is something to do in Tyrone will continue tomorrow covering sports programs for the youth of Tyrone that aren’t school related.
