Tyler Rhoten

The Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame proudly elects Tyler Rhoten, a 2002 graduate, as a member of the 2024 induction class. A standout on the hardwood as well as the gridiron, Tyler’s athletic accomplishments make him undeniably worthy of the company he now keeps in the Hall of Fame.

While athletically gifted from an early age, Rhoten worked tirelessly to hone his skills growing up in Ridgewood, participating in various junior sports within the Village. These formative years saw Tyler develop into a leader of his peers, driven by the competitiveness that would come to define the rest of his athletic career. By the time Tyler reached Ridgewood High School, he had decided to focus his efforts on two sports- basketball and football. He would go on to graduate in 2002 having left his mark on both programs.

A three-year letter winner in football, Tyler excelled as a Tight End for Coach Chuck Johnson’s teams in the early 2000’s. As a junior, Tyler earned 2nd Team All NNJIL-A and All Suburban honors in 2000, before going on to earn 2nd Team All County, 1st Team All NNJIL and All Suburban honors as a senior in 2001. In addition to these accolades, Tyler was selected to play in the Phil Simms North South Football NJ All Star Game in 2001 after a successful senior year season. A testament to Tyler’s leadership qualities, he was elected as a co-captain of the RHS football team by his teammates for their 2001 campaign.

Every winter, Rhoten would seamlessly transition from his success on the football fields to the basketball courts, where he played for the legendary coach Jim Stroker, earning two varsity letters in the process. As a junior, Tyler was acknowledged for his contributions to the Maroons by being named to the 1st team All Suburban Basketball team. After being elected a co-captain for his senior season, Rhoten would go on to prove himself as a dominant force on the court. He was named to the 2002 1st team All Group 4 Basketball squad, 1st Team All NNJIL, 2ndTeam All County, and 1st Team All Suburban, in addition to playing in the basketball North South All Star game.

Tyler capping off his high school career by winning the “Dave Vanderbush Award for Excellence in Athletics”.This award is given annually to the graduating male and female senior who are deemed the athletes who best exemplify the qualities of great athletic ability combined with leadership and academic success over their four years of interscholastic competition at RHS.

Tyler turned down multiple Division 1 football and basketball scholarship offers to continue his college basketball and academic journey at Trinity College in Hartford , Connecticut. Rhoten exploded onto the scene at Trinity, earning him the 2003 D3 Basketball National Rookie of the Year award, in addition to being named the NESCAC Basketball Rookie of the Year. As a four year starter and two-time captain, Rhoten would be showered in accolades: All NESCAC 1st team 2004, 2005, 2006; All District 2004 (1st team), 2005 (2nd team), 2006 (1st team); All ECAC 2004 (1st team), 2005 (2nd team), 2006 (1st team); All America 2004 (3rd team), 2005 All amaerica(4th team), 2006 Al America (1st team), and ESPN Magazines 1st Team Academic All- America Team 2006. Additionally, Tyler was named as a Top 10 National Finalist in 2005 and 2006 for the Josten’s Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding D3 Athlete of the Year, based on athletic, academic and community service performance. A 2023 inductee of the Trinity College Athletic Hall of Fame, Tyler still holds multiple school records: All Time Leading Scorer (2,154 pts), 1st All Time Field Goals Made (905), 3rd All Time Scoring Average (21.3), and 3rd All Time in Rebounds (818).

The Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame is excited to recognize Tyler Rhoten for his athletic achievements in both football and basketball, and welcomes him as he takes his place as an inductee of the Class of 2024.