As a five-year varsity member Tyler Bain makes his presence felt on the Aberdeen Central boys’ soccer team. The senior has also found a way to make a big difference off the pitch as well.
This past summer while Bain began looking at future colleges, a school counselor suggested he get involved in the community.
“I did some research and then I came up with the idea and I called it Even the Odds, where I got sports equipment that was no longer used and I redistributed it throughout Aberdeen,” Bain said.
The project made a big impact as more than 300 items were collected and about 100 people showed up at the redistribution location.
“It’s definitely eye opening. I understand that sports equipment can sometimes be very expensive, since I’ve played sports my whole life,” Bain said. “Although it is good for a resume, I also thought that it’s just a good thing to be involved in the community and you should do it when you get the chance.”
Bain’s work in the community goes hand-in-hand with what he does for the team, according to Central coach Lance Mohr.
“Tyler has been a huge asset not only on the soccer field, but off the soccer field for the boys’ soccer program,” Mohr said. “He has demonstrated for several years as a varsity player that doing the right things off the field only helps your play on the field.”
Bain joined the varsity as an eighth-grader who was just looking to fit in and has transformed into a key member on one of the top teams in the state.
“I was more of a role player back in eighth grade,” Bain said. ” I was just kind of helping out the team by playing defense, but then as the years came by I moved into more of an offensive position, and the team has relied on me to create chances and score goals.”
Not only did Bain change positions through the years, he also changed uniform numbers, going from number 37 to 20 to 14 to his current number of 11.
“At the beginning of the year after tryouts everybody picks their jersey numbers and the seniors get to go first every year, then juniors,” Bain explained. “Back in eighth grade I was one of the last picks, so 37 was the only thing left. As I got older, I started picking numbers that I wanted more. And I came to number 11, which I’ve been happy with the last two years.”
Bain said playing defense when he first joined the Golden Eagles has given him a better appreciation of that side of the pitch, and also an understanding of what foes might be scheming to do as they game plan for him.
“I know somewhat what they’re thinking when they’re 1 v 1 defense. I know they’re going to try and force me one way, keep me on to my left, maybe,” Bain said. “I also think that me playing on defense has helped me as a player, because I realize that making mistakes can sometimes lead to goals, so I try to limit mistakes as much as I can.”
Bain said he has no desire to return to the defensive side of the pitch, leaving that job to his teammates who have already recorded six shutouts this season.
“I’d rather probably rather stay up and let them do what they’re good at,” Bain said. “They’ve been really good this year for us and it’s nice to know that you have a solid back line behind you.”
Bain is also a crucial member of the Central track team, where he runs on relays, and competes in the 400-meter dash and high jump.
He said soccer and track are much different, but do share on main trait.
“I think there’s a mental element in all of the sports and pretty much everything that you do in life,” Bain said. “You have to stay focused and stay concentrated to perform the best you can.”
It’s only natural that Bain is one of four captains for the soccer team this fall. He understands his role and takes it seriously.
“I know that I have to represent my team and also try and keep the team together, us four captains. We are pretty much responsible for the team,” Bain said. “We make sure that people are practicing the way that they should and they keep their heads up even when they make mistakes.”
Mohr said that it is obvious that Bain has the attention of his teammates as well as his coaches.
“As a senior captain, he is respected by his teammates,” Mohr said, “and viewed as a top class leader by the coaching staff.”
While Bain has yet to decide on a school, he plans to go to a four-year college and major in biology before attending medical school with the goal of being an orthopedic surgeon.
Before then, Bain will continued to work on his soccer and track and field goals.
He’s already been a part of two Eastern South Dakota Conference championship teams in soccer.
“It’s not easy to win ESD,” Bain said. “You have to have a really good record, and it’s really special when you do it.”
Bain has a pair of ESD high jump championships to his credit as well.
“That’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Bain said.
Well Bain’s athletic resume is already full of impressive accomplishments, it pales in comparison to the life lessons he has grasped while still in high school.
“People should get involved in their community in any way that they can,” Bain said. “It’s really just a good thing to do for yourself and for your community.”
And in a current culture where some people tend to only to be concerned about themselves, Bain understands the significance of caring about others.
“I learned that it’s important to be considerate. You never know what other people are going through,” Bain said. “Everybody’s got problems that they’re dealing with, so it’s just important that you are an open-minded person and that you are considerate of other people.”
