Tyler Kidwell
- School
- Ohio State University
- Position
- Defender
- Major
- Business Finance
Classroom
Tyler Kidwell is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and three-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete. Kidwell was honored as a 2014 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and holds a 3.592 cumulative GPA as a business finance major.
Character
On and off the field Tyler Kidwell exemplifies what it means to be a team player. As a two-time captain, he is well-respected by his teammates and opponents and has worked hard in practice every day. Kidwell has started in more games than any other Buckeye the last four seasons with 64 career starts, and he’s persevered through the physical demand of the college soccer season, playing more than 5,000 minutes since the 2013 campaign. Learning from past Buckeye captains - both of who were Senior CLASS Award Winners - Kidwell has become a motivating figure on the field and in the locker room. He’s helped the Buckeyes back to the top of the Big Ten and into NCAA Tournament the past two seasons, including a regular season championship as a junior in 2015. Kidwell has always been there for his teammates and has impacted future generations of Ohio State men’s soccer.
Community
Kidwell has been a leader off the field as well. This May, Kidwell took a trip to Jamaica for Soles4Souls, a program which distributes needed footwear in local communities to those in need, while also immersing the volunteers in the culture and learning the impact a pair of shoes can have on a community. Kidwell also has taken time to volunteer at Mid Ohio Food Bank, Hot Dogs for the Hungry, Kids Kicking Cancer and Dare to Play with the Columbus Crew—a camp with children where with Down syndrome learn the basics of soccer.
Competition
Kidwell is a two-time captain for the Buckeyes and has been a four-year starter in the Ohio State backline, guiding the team to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015, including a Big Ten championship a year ago. Kidwell has made 64 career starts in 66 career appearances since joining the team in 2013. He’s notched one assist on 10 shots in his career and has played in the most minutes out of any active Buckeye (6,009). Kidwell has been a key factor in 26 career shutouts.
