Fresno State Athletics
Reason to Smile
1/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 3, 2006
Throughout his playing days, Tyrone Culver has probably inflicted his share of tackles on opponents that have chipped or even knocked out teeth. However, when he becomes a dentist in the near future, Culver hopes to leave his patients' teeth in better shape than when he met them.
The senior free safety, who is scheduled to graduate in December, has more to be proud of than just a memorable career at Fresno State highlighted by significant victories and national rankings. The hard work dedicated to his football team has also transferred over to the classroom, where Culver has excelled academically. A three-time Academic All-WAC honoree, Culver's 3.48 GPA has earned him a spot as one of the team's top scholars.
Culver credits his parents for teaching him the value of education. He said it was always school and homework before football when he was growing up.
"My parents really pushed me to do well in school," Culver said. "You can play sports, but without an education, that's not going to mean anything. From the time I can remember back to when I was a little kid, my homework always had to be done before going out to football practice. If my grades slipped, my parents would take sports away from me. It's always been education first."
Culver said he wants to serve as an example for his younger brother Malcolm, a high school athlete. He hopes his brother sees that all the work he's done in both football and school has paid off.
"It's important to me to set a good example for my younger brother," Culver said. "He's an aspiring athlete with many opportunities before him. I've tried to lead a path for him to follow in the future."
Culver said that after all the experiences he has had playing football at Fresno State, the one lesson he will take away with him is how to prepare.
"In life, nothing is ever given to you. You always have to go out there and work for it," he said. "This entire program is about taking on the top dog and really earning that Top 25 ranking. It's about coming in every day and working hard in practice to win every game."
That go-get-em mentality is part of the reason why Culver wants to go to dental school. No one in his family is in the dental field, but he welcomes the challenge to try something new that he thinks is an exciting profession.
"I'm just going to go for it," he said.
It seems that Culver has reached the pinnacle of his career as a student-athlete. He has made significant plays at clutch times and led his team to victories on the field. He has been recognized as one of the WAC's top academic performers. That combination of achievement has made him Fresno State's nominee for an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and are in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition. The names of the 58 nationwide winners will be announced later in the academic year.
"There are things that I have achieved in football that I have enjoyed, no doubt. If we win the WAC title this year, that would be the ultimate goal achieved for me in football," Culver said. "But on the academic side, there is nothing better I could ask for than the opportunity to go on and further my education after college. You can get through college, but college isn't the finish line for me."
Head Coach Pat Hill recognizes Culver as a first-class individual and the epitome of what he looks for in a student-athlete.
"Tyrone is responsible and accountable for everything he does," Hill said. "On the field, he has been an outstanding player who has made a lot of big plays for us this year. Off the field, he has accomplished just about everything a student-athlete can academically. I know he will be very successful in his life and a great ambassador for Fresno State."
As a future dentist, Culver hopes to make his alma mater proud. Many people dread going to the dentist, but maybe a few years down the road, they will find themselves sitting in the chair of Tyrone Culver. Perhaps to calm people's nerves, he will tell them about his former playing days at Fresno State and the thrilling victories he once had as a Bulldog.
