Albion’s football team featured an outstandingdefense, dubbed “the wrecking crew,” as the Britonssurged to MIAA titles in 1976 and 1977 with 5-0 records both years.The individuals on that defense have been honored in recent years,and now Tyree Minner takes his place alongside Dave Abbott, FredCromie, Jim Haskins, and Rick Otis in the Athletic Hall ofFame.
“Tyree ranks at the top with all of them,”said former Briton head coach Frank Joranko, ’52, who wasinducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. “Tyree wasan emotional kind of person. He was always vocal in the lockerroom. Not only did he inspire others to play harder, he playedharder himself.”
Tyree, who broke into the Britons’ starting lineupin 1976, used his speed, strength, and agility to become one of thebest defensive players in the MIAA.
He earned the first of his two MIAA All-Conferencefirst-team awards in 1977 when he was in on 98 tackles, interceptedfour passes and recovered two fumbles. Tyree starred inAlbion’s debut in the NCAA Division III playoffs when heintercepted two passes against the University ofMinnesota-Morris.
The defensive end served as a captain alongside SteveMundwiler and Curtis Pope in 1978. He finished the season with 96tackles, 12 of them for loss, and two interceptions. Tyree alsobroke up three passes.
An economics and management major at Albion, Tyree went onto earn an M.B.A. from Wayne State University and a master’sdegree in engineering management from the University of Dallas.Originally from Flint, Tyree manages a plant in Fenton, Mo., forthe Chrysler Corporation. He resides in Saint Louis with his wife,Gwendolyn, and daughter, Terrell, and son, Tyree II.
