While some DePauw students come to Greencastle to continue their athletic careers, sophomore Tyler Notch chose a slightly different route.
"When I came on my visit as a perspective student, I met with assistant basketball coach [Brian] Oilar," said Notch, a native of Cheyenne, Wyo. "(I) asked if there was any opportunity for me to help out with the team. He told me that I could and I've been the team's student assistant ever since."
According to Notch, his role as student assistant to the DePauw men's basketball coaching staff requires a multitude of tasks, including scouting opposing teams, helping with recruitment and assisting with offseason player development. Often times, Notch can be found in the Lilly Center watching film and comparing notes with the other coaches whom, according to Notch, he can go to and chat with about absolutely anything, both basketball and non-basketball related.
While Notch's role on the team is time consuming, Notch sees it as a stepping stone to his ultimate dream of becoming a Div. I men's basketball coach, a dream he has had ever since a career ending injury his junior year of high school.
"My junior year of high school, I broke a bone in my foot on the third day of practice and pretty much had to call it quits" Notch said. "It was devastating for me because I absolutely loved basketball."
It was this love for the game — which Notch refers to as "the best sport in the world" — that made him realize that coaching was a way in which he could still be around basketball even if he was not participating as a player. He also saw it as the perfect opportunity to give back to the sport that has brought him so much happiness over the years.
"Notch's love for the game is so evident," senior captain Ian Rumpp said. "He's an awesome guy and I know he'll make it far in this sport."
Notch's dream is to one day coach at his favorite college basketball team, Duke University. He realizes there is a long road ahead of him before he can replace legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski — an idol of Notch's — and call Duke's arena Cameron Indoor Stadium his home.
"The Duke job is a huge dream for me," Notch admited. "But in 50 years, whether I get that job or not, if I can look back and know that I helped basketball players become better players and better men, I'll be completely satisfied."
It was John Wooden — another of Notch's idols — who once said that you should "not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do," which Notch has taken to heart. While he may not be able to play, basketball is still a very large part of his life. If he has it his way, it will be for many years to come.