"I played for my uncle, who was a legendary high school coach in Delaware," Tyson said recently. "I started thinking back then that was something I might want to do.   
       
"When I couldn't play anymore I figured the best thing I could do was teach kids the game that has meant so much to me and my life."  
  
Tyson is in his first year as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Central Florida. He spent the previous five seasons as an assistant coach at Wichita State, after being hired by Marshall.   
 
Before making the leap to Wichita State and Division I basketball, Waterman built a prep school powerhouse from the ground up. He founded and served as head coach at Believe Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina, over two separate stints between 2010 and 2018. During that time he also served as an assistant for one year at Southeasten Louisiana University. 
   
Tyson joined the Eagles basketball program in 1995 and made an immediate impact, averaging 12.5 points a game and earning All-Big South Conference Rookie of the Year honors. As a sophomore, he upped his average to 16.1 points and was named to the All-BSC second team.  
  
But academic problems and a falling out with then head coach Dan Kenney after back-to-back losing seasons sent him packing to Winston-Salem State. He never played for the Rams and when Marshall was named head coach Tyson inquired about returning to Rock Hill. But he'd have to get his academic house in order.  With Marshall's wife Lynn, doing the tutoring, Tyson attended summer school and qualified for re-admission to Winthrop.    
  
"I sat down with Coach Marshall and we came up with a plan," Tyson said. "And he held me accountable from day one. 
  
"Coach Marshall changed the culture. I was always a winner and I saw he was just as passionate about winning as I was."  
 
Part of Marshall's plan was moving Tyson to point guard. 
 
"My first two years here I had to be a scorer. That was exactly what Coach Marshall and I talked about, what my role would be on this team. 
"He wanted me to be a coach on the floor." 
 
Tyson picked up right where he left off and was named to the All-BSC first team and all-tournament team. The latter came after scoring 37 points in the two tournament games, a performance that helped lead the Eagles to the championship and their first trip to the NCAA tournament. 
  
"Every time I see him I shake his hand and say thank you for coming back," said Heson Groves, a three-year teammate of Tyson. 
 
This will be the second time Tyson's been a part of the Winthrop Athletics of Fame induction ceremony. He was honored as an individual in 2007. He also ranks fifth on the all-time scoring list with 1,461 points and his number 41 was retired in 2001.