Like Pat Tillman, Tillman Scholar Tyrus Korecki left sports for service
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PHOENIX (AZFamily)—Tillman Scholar Tyrus Korecki was a captain in the Air Force and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in health psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Korecki served nearly eight years as a Special Operations combat pilot. With more than 1,000 flying hours, he’s now soaring to new heights as a Tillman Scholar.
“It’s really just such an honor to be a part of an organization that’s designed, geared towards impacting not just local communities, but really on a worldwide scale,” he said. “I’m humbled every day that I’m a part of that organization. IT inspires me to be a better person.”
The Air Force Academy recruited Korecki to play baseball, but he left sports for service. He became a warfighter during his deployments to Afghanistan.
Now, Korecki’s passion is holistic living.
“The [Tillman Foundation] scholarship allows me to continue pursuing my academic degree, as well as my research interests, which will, in turn, really influence what I plan to do after I get out of school,” he said.
Korecki also is a certified yoga instructor, a fitness enthusiast, and a lifelong student on a mission to help people.
“My mission is really to investigate these kinds of practices -- like meditation or working out and things like sleep -- to hopefully offer those to individuals in high-stress occupations or undergoing maybe some difficult life circumstances.”
He hopes to focus on military members, veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders.
If you want to participate in the 20th Annual Pat’s Run, in-person and online registration for the Tempe event closes on Apr. 12 at 3 p.m., and virtual registration will close on Apr. 13 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Click/tap here for more information.
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