California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Playing a significant role in California University women’s basketball program’s move from the NAIA level into the highly competitive NCAA Division II level was Duania Tyler-Darby.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa., and a graduate of Langley High School, Tyler-Darby played for the Vulcan women and head coach Betsy Mosher from 1981-82 through the 1984-85 seasons.

An athletic 5-8 post-player, Tyler-Darby was a three-year starter who was an all-conference selection as both a junior and sophomore. She also earned honorable mention Fastbreak All-America honors following her senior year. In just three years, Tyler-Darby scored 1,108 career points and was Cal’s third-leading career scorer at the conclusion of her distinguished career. Today, she is just one of 17 Vulcan women to score 1,000 or more career points.

During Tyler-Darby’s freshman year, Cal compiled an 18-13 overall record and made the program’s first-ever post-season appearance by playing in the AIAW Mid-Atlantic Regional.

As a sophomore, Tyler-Darby emerged as one of Cal’s and the PSAC’s more effective players by averaging 13.7 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.

She led all Vulcan scorers during her 1983-84 junior season with 402 points, a 16.1 pointer per game average. Tyler-Darby netted a career-best 136 field goals and 130 foul shots that year while shooting over 45% from the floor. She also shot over 75% from the foul line and averaged 10.3 rebounds a game.

Tyler-Darby averaged 14.5 points and 7.8 rebounds a game during her senior season and shot an impressive 54.6% from the floor (125 of 229) which was third best in the PSAC.

For her 80-game career, Tyler-Darby averaged 13.5 points and 9.1 rebounds (731) a game with career field goal and foul shooting percentages of 47 and 70% respectively.

Along with her academic and basketball responsibilities, Tyler-Darby was an active student on the Cal campus. She was President of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and a member of the 1985 Homecoming Court. Tyler-Darby earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education/early childhood in 1986. Nearly 20 years later she returns to join the university’s prestigious Hall of Fame.

“I was surprised, humbled, and honored when Paul Flores (2003 inductee) called me about being selected,” Tyler-Darby said.

“I played so many years ago and even to be considered for this, let alone be selected, is very flattering.”

Tyler-Darby is one of five Vulcan women’s basketball players from the early 1980s to be inducted into Cal U’s Hall of Fame. She joins teammates Lisa Scott-Gray (1996), Lisa Olson (1998), Jenise Lockhart (1995), and Denise Haley (2000).

“We really did have a great team and our record honestly was not indicative of how good we were,” Tyler-Darby said. “Our starting five was tough, we could play. My thoughts about my whole experience is nothing but positive. It was not until I left that I realized just how much Cal meant to me.”

A proud alumna, Tyler-Darby returned to campus several years ago to participate in the school’s Basketball Alumni Weekend. She met the Vulcan women’ basketball head coach at the time Darcie Vincent, who guided the 2003-2004 Vulcans to the NCAA Division II National Championship.

“When I met her I was so impressed with her relationship and rapport she had with her players. She really shows that coaching can make a big difference,” Tyler-Darby said.

“My dad always keeps up on Cal and he let me know about their national championship game on television. I was on the phone with (teammate) Valerie Galatic during the game and we were just screaming the whole time. Not only am I proud for them but I felt as if it were my team. I think it is just amazing what the team and coaches have done for little California. I could not be happier for them.”

Athletic success was hardly anything new for Tyler-Darby, who was voted as Langley’s Best Overall Athlete by her classmates in 1981. She was a two-time all-city all-star selection.

Tyler-Darby, who has four children, lives in Waldorf, Maryland, with her husband John. She is in an elementary school teacher in the Charles County School District and was an Outstanding Teacher nominee in 1999. Tyler-Darby is an active member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church where she serves as the chairperson of the Scholarship Committee and coaches basketball in the church’s Upward Bound Program as well as Special Olympics.

A Master Teacher, Tyler-Darby trains college student teachers who attend the University of Maryland, UMBC, and Salisbury State. She was also the head girl’s basketball coach at LaPlata (MD) High School in the late 1980s and is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Maryland.

A successful teacher, coach, and mother, Tyler-Darby credits her alma mater for helping her attain the prosperous life she leads.

“I have profited so much from going to Cal,” Tyler-Darby said. “I went on to teach and coach and California prepared me to do these things. My education and teacher training prepared me well. I am proud to be a Master Teacher and will be inducted into Who’s Who Among Teachers this August. I got my start at Cal and will always be grateful.”

The third women’s basketball player in school history to reach the 1,000 point plateau, Tyler-Darby is looking forward to coming back for the induction banquet and ceremony.

“When I called my dad about this honor we both giggled on the phone like a couple of little kids,” laughed Tyler-Darby. “This will be very emotional for me and quite frankly it is overwhelming.”