Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Tyler Chumita, an education and history major from Hilliard, Ohio. Chumita is a member of the baseball team.
Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I liked the small campus setting that is close to home. When I came on my visit, the class sizes were ideal and I noticed the professors and students built strong relationships. The baseball team is one big welcoming family. I do everything with them, and they are a great group of guys. The Independent Study project is unbelievable and sets us up for future schooling and jobs. Overall, it checked all of my boxes and felt like home.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fighting Scot student-athlete?
A: Representing Wooster and continuing the longstanding tradition of excellence for the Fighting Scots' baseball team has been amazing. Being a part of the team has taught me many life skills such as organization, hard work, and accountability. I take great pride in playing for the Scots.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Winning regionals as a first-year is my all-time favorite memory. With COVID, some of my best memories have been subtle, such as hanging out in my room with some teammates and friends. The Florida spring break trip really bonds our team as we spend all hours of the day together. When our season got shut down my sophomore year, we sat in one condo room for hours just talking and singing, which is a memory I'll forever hold. Academically, some of my best memories come from studying together with teammates or roommates. We will sit around for hours studying for a test or practicing presentations with one another. That is really special, to have teammates who push you both on the field and in the classroom.
Q: What's the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: Building lifelong friendships while getting a top-notch education. Being able to go out and contend for championships every year is remarkable, but also completing a yearlong Independent Study project is a huge accomplishment.
Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I'm involved with Athletes InterVarsity and our team volunteers at the Night to Shine Prom for those with special needs.
Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Dr. Ryan Ozar. I had an education class with him every year and we have sustained a great relationship. He was my supervisor for my student teaching placement this past fall. I was able to see all the things he taught me throughout his classes in action as I taught. He has seen me grow not only as a teacher, but as an individual, and he continues to encourage and support me in both the classroom and the baseball field. We have shared many laughs and one of my best memories with him is attending the Wayne County Fair for a class where I tried Lerch's donuts for the first time!
Q: Which other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people/resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: My first-year seminar professor, Dr. Paul Bonvallet, helped get my first semester off on the right track. The class he taught was called Winning and Losing, which was very interesting. In addition to that, he showed us the many resources to use on campus such as the Writing Center and online databases to obtain credible sources. His class eased my nerves as a first-year.
Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: I am focusing on different baseball statistics and using three different mathematical methods to predict end of the year award voting for college baseball. I'm taking a data analytics approach and using predictive modeling to compare my results to the actual voting process so I can analyze which mathematical methods are most effective.
Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Our annual spring break trip with the baseball team is a great time. We get a two-week spring break to play baseball, go to the beach, and bond as a team. A lot of families come down as well which is cool to see them supporting us. We cookout and play outdoor games when we are back at the condos and really get to enjoy one another's company.
Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what is one piece of advice you would give your first-year (freshman) self?
A: Say yes more. If someone asks you to try a new restaurant, say yes. If you're invited to join a club, say yes. If you're asked to attend an event, say yes. There are many opportunities to get involved and build relationships, so just put yourself out there and say yes. The relationships I have built are what I will take away the most from my college career.
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