Northwest ISD Navigator Magazine October 2017 | Page 13

PHOTOS BY KEITH ALLISON You’ve been in the Tigers system for several years, and you’re constantly on the road for away games. Is there anything specific you miss about Texas, or any local places you make it a point to visit in the offseason? I miss the weather more than anything. I love hot weather, and April in Detroit can border on frigid! Other than that, just being home with my friends and family. Your mother, Karen Collins, is a teacher and coach at Medlin Middle School. Is there any sport or activity she can beat you in – or maybe a sport where she just thinks she can beat you? Momma is very athletic and probably where I get my core competitiveness. Maybe back in the day she could take me in basketball or volleyball. She probably still thinks she could beat me in a foot race, but unless that race is a minimum of a mile, she’s probably going to have her work cut out for her. In your first year out of high school, playing at Baylor, you planned to major in education. Is teaching and coaching something you’re still considering down the line? As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that my career path was derived from a desire to help shape and mold the next generation. I’m not saying it is or isn’t something I want to do, but whatever I end up doing, I want to positively impact the youth. Outside of playing baseball, what are some of your hobbies or interests? What advice would you give middle and high school students competing in extracurricular activities? I would say trust in the Lord first. Then do what makes you happy and let the haters hate. The older you get, the more you will realize what truly matters, and that will always come back to being your core self. n Tyler Collins Education High School: Northwest High School Colleges: Baylor University, Howard College Professional Baseball Statistics MLB Team: Detroit Tigers Draft: 6th Round Position: Outfield MLB Hits: 115 MLB Home Runs: 13 Minor League Hits: 588 Minor League Home Runs: 72 I love the outdoors, so fishing and hunting consume most of my offseason. Some golf and camping will also take place. 13