Hall of Fame
Collin Hyte is arguably the best tennis player in Norwich history. He was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Player of the Year twice as a sophomore and a senior and was a three-time GNAC First Team All-Conference selection.
Hyte entered his freshman year at Norwich University in August of 2008 and graduated in May 2012 with a B.S in communications and a concentration in digital media technology. Hyte was a busy student-athlete, while in the Communications Department he devoted countless hours filming and editing documentaries, writing and taking photos for the Norwich Guidon, and as an on-air DJ for Dog River Radio. His other time was spent on the tennis courts at Shapiro Field House.
Hyte competed for Norwich’s University’s tennis team from 2008-2012. During his freshman season he played at the #2 singles position and the number #1 and #2 doubles position. From his sophomore year to his senior year, he competed at the #1 singles position and compiled a Norwich University 36-8 singles record which has not been broken. During his time at Norwich, he was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Year twice, first as a sophomore and then again as a senior. He was named NU tennis team MVP for his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He was a three-time GNAC First Team All-Conference selection and as a senior was named the Norwich University male Outstanding Athlete of the year in 2012.
In 2014, Hyte was named the head men’s tennis coach for Emerson College in Boston. He re-built the men’s and women’s tennis programs until his departure in 2016, and was one of the youngest head coaches in NCAA history. In addition to coaching, Collin worked at Outerlink Global Solutions in Wilmington, Mass., the satellite tracking subsidiary of Metro Aviation, headquartered in Shreveport, Louisiana. In early 2019, Collin went to work for 3M in their Health Care Business Group. The job entails the support and sales of negative pressure wound therapy “NPWT” equipment in New Hampshire.
“During my time at Norwich, I had always heard from the alumni that you will meet some people along the way that you will know for a lifetime. That is the truth. The friendships you build while at Norwich, last a lifetime and the friends I met are my family now. The truth of the matter is that the greatest thing that Norwich has taught me is not only to expect a challenge, but how to overcomes the challenge. Norwich taught me to problem solve, to have integrity, and be kind and confident. I try and live my life this way and must thank the professors, coaches, and friends I have made along the way,” Hyte said.
“Some great quotes from the infamous Coach Dezotell, ‘1-0 start today’ and ‘move your damn feet.’ Those two have always stuck with me, especially ‘1-0 start today.’ Having a 1-0 mentality meant, go into the match with a positive attitude, no matter if you won or lost, 1-0 in the match, 1-0 at practice, 1-0 in the classroom, 1-0 on a test…”
Hyte is still competing today and is currently ranked in the top 300 nationally in the Singles Men’s Open Division and currently has a Men’s Open Doubles National Ranking of #61 in anticipation of competing in Men’s Professional Tennis events.
