If you go to MNSU, chances are you’ve heard of Ty Dennis. It could be because he’s one of the football team’s star players, maybe it’s because of his volunteer work and involvement within the community, or perhaps it’s because of how highly regarded he his within the student population. When Ty Dennis’ name is mentioned it is likely followed with a compliment. Ty is currently a junior at Minnesota State University, but is a sophomore on the field. He is from Burlington; a small town is South Eastern Wisconsin. During his time at Burlington he was captain of his high school football team, was named first team all-conference both on offense and defense, and named team’s Co-Offensive MVP after his senior season. Ty’s ability and drive to achieve has carried over seamlessly into college. His ambition, character, and passion influences everyone around him; Minnesota State University is lucky to have such a positive role model like Ty Dennis.
Her Campus: What is your major?
Ty Dennis: “Life Science Education, I want to be a high school biology teacher one day”
HC: Why did you choose to play football for MSU?
TD: “I really fell in love with the campus when I visited right away, and I just had a sense of community and family and thought that I’d fit in really well here.”
HC: What are you involved with here on campus?
TD: “Football and SAAC.”
HC: What is SAAC, for someone who doesn’t know?
TD: “It stands for Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Easy way to explain it is that it’s like student council for student athletes. We really like to organize community events and improve student athlete life.”
HC: How did you become involved in SAAC?
TD: “My freshman year my head football coach at the time said ‘Hey Ty we need someone to fill the underclassman role at SAAC for the football team I think you’d be great at it.’”
HC: What is your position in SAAC?
TD: “I’m the vice president for the campus SAAC here at Mankato and I serve on the national SAAC committee that is constructed of twenty-six student athletes, and twenty-four conferences are represented in the DII for the whole nation. There are two at large reps, in the nation and I’m one of the two.”
HC: What is your role as a national SAAC member and an at large rep?
TD: “I serve on the legislative committee and the new committee selection team. When I’m in these meetings we go over a set agenda, we go over legislation, championship stuff, and just how we can improve the DII experience for DII athletes. The best part is meeting a ton of new people and making connections all over the country.”
HC: Do you want to pursue anything regarding sports in your future after college?
TD: “I want to try to pursue a graduate assistant coaching opportunity at a school and then go for an athletic administration position, maybe a high school athletic director one day.”
HC: What is your favorite part about MSU?
TD: “The people. I think everyone is really nice, I think the Minnesota Nice is something real and I think everyone embraces the MavFam.”
HC: If you were to change one thing at MSU what would you do?
TD: “I would get more students involved in supporting athletics. I think we have really good sports teams and I don’t think everyone knows that.”
HC: What is your greatest achievement?
TD: “My proudest moment in life would be in high school. My football team was historically never very good, and I set a goal senior year to win homecoming and make the playoffs. We won our homecoming game for the first time in like five years, and we made the playoffs the same game. I hugged my parents and started crying and just the satisfaction of achieving a goal, so that was probably the most satisfying feeling ever.”
HC: What is the best advice for a younger student here on campus?
TD: “Take advantage of everything the school has to offer. There’s a lot that you can reach out and get involved with, and enjoy it while it lasts because it’s going to be gone before you know it.”
As you probably gathered from this article, Ty takes on responsibilities above and beyond most college students. Balancing football, school, and a national position on SAAC isn’t something every student could pull off, but his hard work and drive enable him to do it all. His accomplishments are admirable to say the least, and he truly believes in making MNSU a better experience for all students. We are all looking forward to see what the future has in store for him.