FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 17, 2008
CONTACT: Jeff Duggan, SID
PHONE: (303) 273-3095

Tyler, Schiel commit to CSM men's basketball program

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines men's basketball program has received National Letters of Intent from Avery Tyler (Omaha, Neb. / Des Moines Area Community College) and Pete Schiel (Cheyenne, Wyo. / Central High School) to begin playing for the Orediggers in 2008-09, as announced today by CSM Head Coach Pryor Orser.

A 6'0", 175-lb. guard, Tyler averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a sophomore at Des Moines Area Community College (Boone, Iowa) in 2007-08. Tyler, who competed for Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa, Iowa) as a freshman in 2006-07, led DMACC to a 24-6 overall record and a top ten national ranking in 2007-08. A two-time Region 11 Player of the Week selection, Tyler went on to garner Honorable Mention Region 11 accolades last year. During his first two collegiate seasons, Tyler was a member of Phi Theta Kappa (International Honor Society for the Two-Year College) and qualified for the Honor Roll every semester. After leading Omaha Central High School to three consecutive state tournament appearances, Tyler transferred to Omaha Bryan High School for the final year of his prep career. Tyler led Omaha Bryan to a then-record 22 victories (single-season) and an appearance in the state tournament as a senior. Tyler also earned First Team All-State, Metro Coaches Basketball Association Player of the Year and Bellevue Leader Player of the Year recognition at OBHS.

"We are extremely pleased to have Avery join our program," said Orser, who will begin his eighth season at Mines in 2008-09. "He is blessed with athleticism and intelligence, and has exceptional character. Avery has a legitimate 40-inch vertical jump, great ball-handling skills and is a good perimeter shooter. He is one of the best pure athletes that we have ever recruited at Mines, but his greatest strength is his ability to play within the team concept."

A 6'3", 180-lb. guard, Schiel averaged 14.2 points per game as a senior while leading the Indians to a 20-9 overall record and a fifth-place finish at the Class 4A state tournament. A two-time All-Conference selection in hoops, Schiel also garnered All-Conference and All-State recognition in soccer. A member of the National Honor Society (ranked #1 in his class), Schiel earned a combined total of 11 varsity letters at Central High School.

"Pete will be a very good system player, and his best basketball days are ahead of him," Orser said. "His greatest attributes are his understanding of the game, being a terrific team player and his ability to catch and shoot. We are confident that Pete can be a contributor at this level."

With their 15-14 overall record (8-11 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) in 2007-08, the Orediggers secured their fourth consecutive winning season. Three players were named to the 2007-08 All-RMAC teams, including Kyle Pape, who was a unanimous selection to the First Team All-RMAC East Division squad.

For more information, please visit http://athletics.mines.edu or contact CSM Sports Information Director Jeff Duggan at jduggan@mines.edu.

-- OREDIGGERS --