Tyler Whiteman said he’s been playing soccer for as long as he can remember. Though his high school career is over, Whiteman will still be a regular on the soccer field. The Bridgeport High School senior signed a letter of intent Thursday afternoon to play for the Shenandoah University Hornets. Located in Winchester, Va., Shenandoah is an NCAA Division III school and affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

 

BHS Soccer Coach Danny Hamrick said there are several reasons why Whiteman will do well at Shenandoah.

 

“He works very hard and he’s very skilled. He can play anywhere on the field. I don’t know where they’ll play him, but it doesn’t matter,” Hamrick said.

 

The Indians went 15-5-2 this past season, advancing to the sectional final and falling 2-0 to Robert C. Byrd. Whiteman’s post-season honors included first-team Big 10 and West Virginia Sports Writers Association honorable mention.

 

Whiteman has proven to be a very valuable player for the Tribe, not only because of his widespread skills, but because of his demeanor and the fact that he’s very dependable.

 

“He doesn’t get too excited. He stays very calm on the field,” Hamrick said. “I can’t tell you how many times Tyler came through for us. Even this past year, there were games we won late and most of the time it was Tyler finishing the goal. He’s a very good kid and a very good player. He’s going to be very successful.”

 

During his many years of soccer – youth recreation leagues, travel soccer, middle school and high school - Whiteman said he has played every position except goalkeeper. Center midfielder is his favorite and where he hopes to play for the Hornets.

 

Because of the great coaches and teammates he has worked with the past four years, his high school soccer career includes many good memories.

 

“But I’d have to say my favorite memory is the last-minute comeback against Byrd 3-2,” said Whiteman about the Sept. 11, 2017 regular season contest played on Eagle turf.  

 

Whiteman said he has had opportunity to watch the Hornets soccer team in action and even got to practice with some of the players. Though he has considered other schools, Shenandoah seemed to be the best fit; athletically and academically. He plans to pursue physician assistant studies, one of the school’s specialty fields.

 

An honor roll student, Whiteman is involved in programs which serve his community. He is active in the backpack ministry, spending time each week packing take-home food packages for students in a local school. He also donates time to TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) in Morgantown, a program which allows children with disabilities to learn sports and be part of a team.

 

Whiteman might not remember exactly when he started playing soccer, but his mom does.

 

“It was during Bridgeport United Methodist Church preschool; Mrs. Steele’s class. Tyler, Lacy Bryant and Maddie DeBerry decided they wanted to play soccer,” said Diane Whiteman. “I was going through breast cancer treatments at the time and I didn’t get him registered. So, I called Jack Boot (Bridgeport Soccer Association). I didn’t know him very well, but I told him I had some medical issues and that Tyler really wanted to play.”

 

Boot told Diane Whiteman that if she could get Tyler shin guards and a pair of cleats, he could come practice that very evening.

 

“We got him all dressed and he was so excited,” she said. “He ran all the way to the field, then stopped and sat down on the bleachers. He watched them practice and never got off the bench.”

 

Whiteman’s parents questioned him, asking if he was sure he wanted to play soccer. He said he just wanted to watch the first day and that he would play the next.

 

He did and has played since, Diane Whiteman said. 

 

She and her husband Daniel are very proud of him.

 

“He’s worked really hard in school to get to where he is and really hard on the field,” Diane Whiteman said.

 

The athlete still has a lot of work cut out for him.

 

“I’ll definitely have to work on my stamina and lift; getting my body weight up so I can compete,” he said.

 

Whiteman's signing took place after school Thursday at the BHS Library. He was accompanied by his parents Diane and Daniel, his sister Shelby, grandparents, Coaches Danny Hamrick, Joey Rogers and J.D. Lister and several BHS soccer teammates and friends.