Alumni Spotlight - Canyon Kyle, '21
Assistant Baseball Coach at Columbia University
B.S. Sport Performance Leadership
What do you do professionally, and what is most rewarding about your job?
I am currently the Assistant Baseball Coach; Director of Player Development and Camps as well as an Associate in the Athletic Department of Athletics and Recreation at Columbia University. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing young men and women begin to believe in themselves. You begin to appreciate that, as a coach, making an impact is a reflection of one’s ability to be light in that young person’s life and to cultivate the smallest amount of joy day in and day out. Being in my role at Columbia, I am able to interact with both student athletes through my role as a baseball coach and regular students through my role teaching Physical Education Classes.
What were some of the most meaningful aspects of your education at Simmons?
The friendships and relationships that were formed during my time at Simmons have shaped me into who I am today and my perspective surrounding athletics. I wasn’t an athlete, but almost all of my classmates and friends were Division I athletes at SMU. They opened my eyes to what it meant to be a student athlete, the strenuous lifestyle of working a 60-hour full-time job while handling the same workload as a regular student, and yet not getting paid for it. I also learned how important it is as a coach to be there for your players. Providing proper resources for students on the field and in the classroom is critical to their well-being not only in those four years but for years to come. Lastly, it is the mentors that I still have to this day who believe in me and see who I am constantly becoming.
How did Simmons prepare you for your professional career?
My education at Simmons was the foundation to where I am today. I am coaching a Division I sport at the highest level with no prior playing experience. That is a reflection of humbling opportunities and trust from some amazing people, but also the courses and curriculum I took during my time at SMU.
What are some highlights from your experience as an SMU student?
My highlights include the Coaching and Leadership Advanced class that involved getting up at seven in the morning to run hill sprints or being forced to face my fear of heights and one might say "forced" by my classmates, I will say "strongly encouraged" to jump off the three-meter high dive at the pool. All I know is that that class taught me the importance of community and vulnerability, not trying to outwork those next to you, but to embrace what each of you brings to the table. Donald Kalkstein’s Sports Psychology and Mike Weinar’s Coaching Team Sports class were incredible, they included guest appearances from Urban Meyer, Dirk Nowitzki, and Michael Young.
Why you are proud to be a Simmons alum?
I am extremely proud to be a Simmons alum. When I look back at my time at SMU, the classes, friends, and mentors, Simmons made my SMU experience all that I ever dreamed it would be. I don’t know a single individual from another university who can relate to the experiences I have had, the knowledge I have learned, and the degree I received in this field of study.