By Tommy Howard

thoward@gtowntimes.com

• ‘Coker is getting a phenomenal kid’

Tyler Staub signed a National Letter of Intent Tuesday with Coker College.

A senior at Waccamaw High School, Staub will have one more year on the Warriors' soccer field before heading off to Hartsville to play for Coker.

Ben Schoen, his coach at Waccamaw, said "Obviously, with Tyler going to play at college, he's a great soccer player. And, he's a top notch kid.

"He does everything a coach could ask him to do.

"He's stepped into his own, and is one of our best players."

Phenomenal kid

Schoen said Staub puts the team first every time. He's one of the soccer team's captains this year.

"The younger guys love him. Coker is getting a phenomenal kid who will help the program.

"The school is important," Schoen continued.

"His coaches here are looking for a great senior year."

Staub is the son of T.L. and Robin Staub. He has an 11-year-old soccer-playing brother named Matthew, who's sold on Coker.

T.L. Staub is an officer with the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office, and his son Tyler is leaning towards criminal justice as a possible major. Another college interest is pre-med.

Tyler Staub "is part of a group I coached when they were 8 or 9 years old," Schoen said. "He will be one of the key members of the team this year."

On top of his athletic ability, "his grades stay up and he stays out of trouble. He gives 800 percent on the soccer field.

"Coker will be getting a good player," Schoen said.

Why Coker?

Tyler Staub said Coker is a good, liberal arts college. Since he has an interest in criminal justice it's a good fit for him. He likes the good academics program and soccer program.

Coach Paul Leese was an assistant coach at Coastal Carolina University at Conway, Staub said.

"I really liked him as a coach and a friend. He got a job at Coker as head soccer coach. I thought it would be really fun to play for him."

In his first year as coach at Coker, the team won its conference championship.

Also, he said, "I don't drink or stuff like that, so criminal justice will be a good option.

"If not law enforcement, then pre-med, something like that."

"Coker's atmosphere will help me find a career I would enjoy."

Years of experience

During the 10 years or so Tyler has been playing soccer, he's been with the same group of guys who are currently on the Waccamaw team.

Last fall he coached a rec team and served as a referee for little kids' games.

"I love soccer, and sharing it with kids," he said.

"If you can referee a game, you know what you're doing."

One of the kids he coaches is his younger brother Matthew.

He also plays with Coast FA.

"T.L. (his dad) is the one who got me interested in soccer," Tyler said.

He's played in YMCA soccer and started out in U6 with coach Mitch Moss.

When he was younger he played both baseball and soccer. For him, soccer is more active and he enjoys that sport more.

"I just love it. I love practicing and training. I enjoy it."