WR Tyra Joins Peoria Indoor Football Team

Release Date: April 26, 2000

Andrew Tyra is interviewed by a Peoria sportwriter following the Fighting Scots' victory over Knox in November.

Andrew Tyra, a senior from Tremont, Ill., has been added to the roster of the Peoria Pirates, who play in the Indoor Football League.

Last fall, Tyra broke school records in two of his last three games as a Fighting Scot. Against Lawrence, his 194-yard day moved him past Terry Schneider ’69 as the all-time single-season yardage record-holder. Tyra wound up the season with 847 receiving yards.

The next week against Grinnell, Tyra moved past Mike Hurckes ’87 and became the all-time career leader in receiving yards, finishing with 1,677 yards. Tyra also set the record for career punt returns in that contest, pushing the mark to 49. He equaled the season mark of 23.

In the season’s final game against Knox, Tyra had a shot at the record for season and career receptions, but he fell just short on both counts. However, he did pick up his first Bronze Turkey win, as the Scots edged the Prairie Fire 27-26.

Tyra, who finished the year with nine receiving TDs, was named to the All-Midwest Conference second team as wide receiver and the honorable mention squad as a returner.

It is believed that Tyra is the first Fighting Scot to go pro since baseball player Chris Wheat '90 was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1990.