Radford Men’s Soccer player Tyler Pulik has been awarded the annual Big South Bob McCloskey Graduate Fellowship, the Big South Conference announced on May 18. The fellowship, sponsored by Bob McCloskey Insurance, provides $2,000 toward Pulik’s graduate studies.
The award recognizes Pulik’s achievements both on and off the field. As a four-year member of the Radford Highlanders and team captain for the 2025 season, he played a key role in defense, starting all 17 matches last season and helping his team achieve four shutouts with their lowest goals allowed average since 2020. Over his college career, Pulik appeared in 42 matches with 24 starts.
Pulik also excelled academically as an Allied Health Science major, graduating with a GPA of 3.917. He earned multiple Dean’s List honors and was recognized as a Provost Scholar-Athlete for Excellence and selected to several Big South all-academic teams. His involvement included tutoring on campus, serving as a representative for Radford’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), membership in the National Honor Society, and participation in the pre-physical therapy club.
During his time at Radford University, Pulik gained clinical observation experience in physical therapy settings. He has been accepted into what is described as the top physical therapy school in the country at the University of Delaware where he plans to pursue his goal of becoming a physical therapist and eventually opening his own clinic.
Nominations for this fellowship are made by either a Faculty Athletics Representative or Chief Academic Officer from each Big South member institution. To qualify for consideration, applicants must have an undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.500 out of 4.000; have competed as varsity athletes; be graduating seniors or enrolled graduate students completing their eligibility; intend to continue academic work beyond their bachelor’s degree; demonstrate superior character and leadership; show that athletics and community service positively influenced their development; enroll in graduate school following receipt of the fellowship or provide justification if deferring matriculation.
The broader impact of such fellowships is to support student-athletes who excel academically while balancing athletic commitments and leadership roles within their institutions.
