From the Sidelines: Grace Community’s Brady Thyen

Published 10:45 pm Friday, April 17, 2020

With spring sports being canceled, the Tyler Morning Telegraph wants to profile East Texas seniors in those sports in a feature called “From the Sidelines”. If you’re an East Texas senior who competes in a spring sport and would like to be featured, fill out the following questionnaire and send it to sports@tylerpaper.com, along with a photo. Today’s featured male athlete is Grace Community’s Brady Thyen.

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Name: Brady Thyen

School: Grace Community School

Parents names: Danielle and Andy Thyen

Brothers/sisters: Tanner and Emmy Thyen

Sports you play: Basketball and track

Favorite high school sports memory: Our first district basketball win was a long time coming and super exciting. It will always be a special memory.

Plans after high school: I will attend business school in the fall.

If college, what schools are you considering, and what do you plan to major in? Marketing at The University of Tennessee or Entrepreneurship at The University of Oklahoma

Favorite song: Austin by Koe Wetzel

Favorite food: Mexican food

Favorite TV show: Lost

Favorite movie: The Blind Side

Who are your role models? These are the men in my life who have shaped my character and whose values I hope to reflect in my own life. My dad, Andy Thyen, is a hard worker and is fully committed to our family. He is all heart and gives his all in whatever he does. He is a Godly example and always does the right thing. He has taught me to always do my best in every situation. My grandfather, Dale Daniels, is kind, caring, generous and puts others first. He goes out of his way to do special things for others. He is a leader in business without compromising integrity. I am grateful that he has always made me feel valued. He has taught me to never give up and that I can achieve any goals with hard work. My grandfather, Tony Thyen, is deeply committed to his faith and values. He is strong in the face of adversity and he seems confident even in handling tough things. He lives each day to its fullest, staying active, traveling and adventuring. He has taught me that you eat an elephant one bite at a time. My friend and basketball coach, David Robinson, is an all around good guy. He has a caring heart and respects others. He is genuine and approachable. He has taught me the value of investing in those around you.

Which coaches have had the most influence on you? Why? Again, my basketball coach, David Robinson. He went out of his way to build a deep relationship, more than just being a coach and that really meant a lot to me. Coach Tracy Holcomb and Coach John Keeling are both Godly men and good leaders that I also have a great deal of respect for. I am grateful for the time I got to spend getting to know all of these men.

Who is your favorite teacher? Mr. Keeling, Mrs. Fedell, and I always loved Mrs. Bigbie at the junior high, who often welcomed us at lunch and graciously accepted random ceramic pieces, even though they were terrible. Actually every junior high teacher at Grace could be listed here. Mr. Pierce, Mr. C, Mrs. A. — I still know all of those verses, Mrs. Freeman, Mrs. Evans — and all of the others — they were all pretty amazing!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully able to go outside — just kidding — sort of. Definitely out of quarantine and out of school, with a great career, a home, maybe a family and some freedom to travel and do cool things. Hopefully not housing Tanner.

Something about yourself that most people don’t know: I don’t think I have many secrets, but I am afraid of sharks.

What will you miss most about high school sports? Just being with my friends everyday and the relationship with my coaches. It went by so fast and it’s sad to lose this last track season, but I am grateful for the experience, the friendships and the many great memories.