Welcome to Saturday Spotlight! Here, we dive deep into the lives of Ohio State student-athletes and learn more about their journeys to Columbus, their love of the Buckeye traditions and who they are as competitors and students.
As a native of Columbus, Ohio and graduate of Upper Arlington High School, Tyler Pfister has been around Ohio State and the Buckeye tradition since a very young age.
His father, Mark, played linebacker for the Scarlet and Gray and earned letters in 1983 and 1984. Now over 30 years later, Tyler is creating his own legacy in the Shoe as a two-time captain of the Ohio State men's lacrosse team.
As a redshirt senior midfielder, Tyler has racked up 22 points (14 goals, eight assists) in 44 career games played. This season, Pfister has been key to the program's best start (9-0) since 1966 — as he and the No. 4 Buckeyes look to remain undefeated this weekend heading into a top-5 clash with No. 2 Notre Dame.
We sat down with Tyler this week to discuss growing up in the Columbus area, his love of the outdoors and much more.
When did you realize you might have a chance to play lacrosse at the collegiate level?
Tyler Pfister: I guess the first time was probably my sophomore year of high school. There wasn’t a ton of club teams like you see now, so I wasn’t heavily involved with that. I had kind of been successful with lacrosse and loved it, so it was something that I knew could help me get into college and something I wanted to do. So that summer, there was a skills camp with some Division One coaches and you got put into teams and player some games — and I was fortunate to be with coach (Mark) Bergey and (former OSU) coach (Andrew) Baxter. We kind of connected, and I knew I loved Ohio State, so that was really the first time I entertained the thought of playing in college.
What drew you to come to Ohio State?
TP: My dad actually played football at Ohio State, so growing up, it was all Ohio State everything. It’s one of those things where you think you know about it until it becomes super personal — and for me, I was fortunate to come on a visit and the things I thought I knew about Ohio State were just completely blown out of the water as far as the people, the tradition and the facilities. That just kind of solidified me coming here.
What is the best part about being a student-athlete?
TP: I think it’s the people, and Buckeye Nation. For me, lacrosse is phenomenal, but I think it’s also been the coolest vessel for me to meet some of the most extraordinary people and people that have helped me out on the field — but more importantly, to become the man I am today. It’s something I try not to take for granted, but it’s something you’re constantly surrounded by. They care about you as a Buckeye, but also you as a person in general. So looking back, that’s something I can’t be thankful enough for.
What’s been the best lacrosse moment of your career?
TP: I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of overtime wins and stuff like that, so it’s tough to put a stamp on one thing. Last year when we beat Michigan in the “Showdown at the Shoe” before the spring game, we had an opportunity to sing Carmen Ohio in front all those fans and that was so surreal and something I will definitely never forget.
What are you studying? What are your plans after you receive your degree?
TP: I graduated last year with a degree in communications, and right now I doing a masters program in sports management. I’d love to be involved in coaching to some extent — probably not in a primary means, but more as being involved with players’ growth on and off the field.
What’s been your favorite class you've taken at Ohio State?
TP: I’ve taken a ton of classes and was actually a construction major before I became a communications major, but the best and hardest class I’ve taken is probably a welding engineering class. It was with a guy who doesn’t have the technology, a Carmen page or anything like that, but he cared a ton about his students and it was a class I loved going to.
What’s your favorite part about/spot on campus?
TP: There’s a pond behind the Jesse Owens Stadium where I love to go fish and kind of get away from things. Obviously I loved the academic buildings and the Shoe and such, but it’s something that not a lot of people know about and gives me time to get away from everything and kind of slow down a little bit.
What’s been your favorite aspect of Columbus?
TP: Columbus is a really cool city. It’s cool to see how Columbus has progressed since I’ve been here, but I’ve always been drawn to the German Villages and the places that have kind of stayed the same over the years. It’s those places that have kind of stood the test of time and stayed where they have been over their lifetime that I tend gravitate towards.
What’s something that not a lot of people know about you?
TP: I’m pretty transparent, but I love the outdoors and being able to escape a little bit. I’m kind of a reflective person, and for me, the outdoors have always provided a way to get away from distractions and allows me to look back on life and just really enjoys things.
What is something you would tell incoming students about Ohio State that you'd like them to know?
TP: I would say to take every opportunity you can to experience as many things as possible. I think one of the biggest regrets people having coming to a place as big as Ohio State is getting comfortable with a few people or one specific aspect. However, Ohio State and Columbus has so much to offer, and I would just say to explore those things and be open to get out of your comfort zone.
