Cooper Tyler is living his dream—one that ties together his love of the law, sports, and the Texas Longhorns.
An Austin native whose parents—Valerie and Craig Tyler ’95—met in their first year at Texas Law, Tyler says, “I’ve always bled burnt orange and could sing ‘Texas Fight’ before I knew the alphabet.” A 2L, Tyler is a member of The University of Texas at Austin track and field team as a javelin thrower—a rare combination of law student and NCAA Division I athlete. Tyler was recently highlighted in the national publication, The NCAA News, based on a story previously published in the Daily Texan.
As the Longhorns prepare to open their outdoor track season, Tyler will be competing in his final year of eligibility. He will showcase his throwing talent at the prestigious Texas Relays—one of the largest track meets in the country—on the Forty Acres from March 26-29, 2025.
Tyler recently shared details about his interesting background, competitive family, and lawyer parents.
In whatever free time you can muster, what Texas Law activities or organizations have you been involved in?
I’m in the Sports & Entertainment Society, Texas Law Federal Bar Association, Board of Advocates, and the Space Law & Policy Society, I also I serve as a coach for the Legal Eagles, the law school’s intramural flag football team). I desperately wanted to play for the Legal Eagles because both my parents played, but we’re not allowed to do intramural sports with track.
Your parents were both Texas Law grads and lawyers. Your mom also taught at Texas Law as a lecturer in the early 2000s. How did your parents impact your career interest and educational pursuits?
My mom coached mock trial teams here when I was a kid. I walked around the halls at the law school and I wanted to be just like her students.
But my parents didn’t want me to blindly follow their example and go to law school. However, as I grew older, I participated in mock trial as an undergrad at Trinity University and really connected with them over trial practice. They are both litigators and they saw how captivated I was by it. They knew law school was right for me after that.
Speaking of family, with one brother swimming at Colorado College, one playing baseball at Trinity, and your sister being a UT cheerleader—so, the Tyler siblings are all obviously very athletic! What role did sports and physical activity play for you while growing up?
Sports were always something that connected my family, yet divided us since we were all so competitive! My siblings and I held competitions constantly. We competed in pullups, pushups, flexibility, jumping, eating, grades, races on land and water—everything was a competition. While competition with my siblings and even my dad was always motivating, we each knew that what was most important was just becoming the best versions of ourselves.
What skills have you honed as an athlete that are also beneficial as a law student?
I’ve learned how to be very detailed in my approach to both athletics and law. As one of the oldest athletes at UT, and having undergone multiple surgeries and injuries, I need to dedicate more time to my body and focus on the small details to keep competing. I know that balancing athletics and law school requires the same level of discipline, attention to detail, and perseverance.
Why did you choose Texas Law?
I chose Texas Law because it’s the premier law school in the South. Attending Texas Law and being a Longhorn is a dream come true for me.
And we’re glad you’re here! Before you arrived at Texas Law, you interned at the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Waco. How did the opportunity influence your decision to attend law school?
That experience was a fantastic way to learn from practicing lawyers about their law school experience and how to choose the right law school. I also had the chance to visit federal penitentiaries, which reinforced the importance of the legal profession. In criminal law, you interact with defendants on some of the worst days of their lives. Having zealous representation on both sides allows both the people’s and the incarcerated’s needs spoken for.
What’s been the best thing about your law school experience so far?
My parents have stayed close with their law school friends, and growing up, I always watched them laugh about memories and crazy professor stories. It’s so cool to think that I’m making those memories right now with the friends I’ve made! Competing in the Society Games with my friends last year— and winning— will always be one of my favorite memories.
That’s a great memory to have. Looking ahead, what path do you envision your career taking?
I had originally planned on working in criminal law like my mom. However, through athletics, I’ve had the chance to become friends with some guys on the Texas football team and past NFL players. I have always loved football, and the opportunity to work with my favorite sport for the rest of my life seems like a dream come true. So, I want to work as an NFL agent, negotiating contracts and endorsement deals.
Original source can be found here.