Alva linebacker commits to Marshall

Zach West
zwest@oklahoman.com

Tyson Gale, an honorable mention All-State linebacker from Alva, has committed to play football for Marshall next season.

Tyson made his decision Sunday night after a weekend visit to the school. He picked the Thundering Herd over New Mexico, his only other Division-I offer.

Tyson is the twin brother of Alva quarterback Mitchell Gale and son of Alva head coach Steve Gale. While Steve’s brother, Mark Gale, is the Marshall assistant athletic director for football operations and is the longest serving member of the Marshall coaching staff, the connection was initially just a helpful recruiting tool. Steve would send the videos to Mark, looking for his professional opinion.

“Then they started looking at the videos,” Steve said. “I was just sending it out just to get an idea, but they really liked what they saw. There was a need for them at middle linebacker, and (that connection) did nothing but help.”