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Kathan Completing Standout Hoop Career at Keene State
KEENE, N.H. 2/20/09 - Tyler Kathan wasn't a happy camper Tuesday night. The senior from Ludlow, Vt., was confined to the bench after picking up a couple of early first half fouls in Keene State's Little East Conference basketball game at Eastern Connecticut State.
"It was very frustrating. I don't like to be on the bench," said Kathan, who came back to score 11 of his team-high 13 points in the second half. "I want to be out on the court, helping my team win."
As far as Kathan is concerned, it's always been about the team. Just as he goes to the glass to steer a wayward offensive rebound back into the basket, the sturdy, 6-foot 5-inch forward deflects the individual accolades that have come his way in his four-year career at Keene State.
Humbleness aside, Kathan's numbers and honors are both impressive and multiple. A two-time All-Little East player and former conference rookie and player of the year, Kathan will conclude his career ranked third on KSC's all-time scoring and rebounding lists. Kathan, who enters Saturday's final regular-season game with 1,736 points, is one of only five Owl men's players to surpass the 1,500-point milestone.
Keene State Coach Rob Colbert also looks beyond the numbers when assessing the impact Kathan has had on his program. "Tyler competes each and every day and plays with such great emotion," he said. "He's an epic competitor who can take over a game."
For his part, Kathan says he always had the competitive drive. "I don't know where it came from," he said. "I always want to play the best that I can to help my team win."
Kathan's desire to succeed in the sport can be traced back to his days growing up in Ludlow. After dabbling in soccer and snowboarding, he joined his middle school's basketball team and quickly developed a passion for the game. Weekday afternoons were spent playing ball with friends, while weekends found him down at the court shooting hoops with his dad, Robert, who Tyler credits for helping him develop his game.
Growing more than 12 inches from seventh grade to his freshman year, Kathan spent two years at Black River High School before moving on to play in the more competitive Springfield High and AAU programs. The habit of winning also started at Springfield. His junior and senior Cosmos teams advanced to the state semifinals, losing to Montpelier both times.
Austin Pickering, father of former Owl associate coach and current Monadnock Regional High School principal Brian Pickering, gets credit for a major assist in the recruitment of Kathan to Keene State. A frequent visitor to gyms in the smaller towns of Vermont, Austin encouraged Colbert and his staff to look at Kathan.
"I'm not sure how many of his high school games we missed. But it wasn't many," said Colbert.
Kathan said he was impressed with Coach Colbert's straightforward approach along with the closeness of the team. "I went for an overnight visit with the guys and felt like I was a part of the team already," said Kathan.
Inserted into the Owls' starting line-up as a freshman, Kathan was named the league's top rookie, leading the team to the LEC finals and an ECAC tournament appearance. The following year, Kathan earned All-Region honors and demonstrated his overall abilities by being named the LEC offensive player of the year and gaining a spot on the conference's all-defensive squad.
That same season, Kathan and the Owls once again advanced to the LEC championship game and were awarded an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament. Kathan called the team's trip to the NCAA Sweet-16 one of the highlights of his KSC career. "I'll never forget our first-round game against Salem State," he said. "I'll always remember how close we were and how far we went."
The following year Kathan became just the sixth junior in the program's history to reach the 1,000-point career milestone, doing it in style with a 31-point, 15-rebound performance against SUNY-New Paltz.
Endearing himself to teammates for his unyielding desire to play at a high level, Kathan is equally appreciated by them for his modesty. "After a great game, he doesn't even talk about it," said fellow senior and roommate Nate Anderson.
Kathan's durability and productivity has never been more needed than this season. Playing on a team that includes eight freshmen, Kathan and Anderson were asked to be leaders and teachers. "Thus far it hasn't worked out quite the way we wanted," Kathan said. "Hopefully we can make a run in the tournament."
"I'm very proud of the way he's handled it, coming to the gym every day, taking on a teaching role and showing the young players what it means to compete," Colbert said.
Kathan leads by example. Facing a three-point deficit in the closing seconds of a game against Rhode Island College earlier this season, the Owls turned to their captain.
"I love that feeling," said Kathan. "Having the coaches' and team's support gives me the confidence to make the shot."
"Everyone in the gym knew Tyler was getting the ball and he still managed to score the basket," said Colbert.
Despite Kathan's heroics throughout the season, the 10-13 Owls find themselves in a struggle to secure the fourth spot in the standings and a home game in the upcoming LEC tournament. Regardless of the outcome, Kathan has established himself as one of Keene State's all-time court greats. A safety studies major who will graduate in May, his departure will leave a huge hole in the Owls' line-up.
Asked how he will replace Kathan, Colbert simply said, "You don't. We just have to find a different way. There won't be another Tyler."
