Oskaloosa Honors It’s Hometown Giant With A Key To The City

Tyler Sash has just received the Key to Oskaloosa from Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt on Sunday afternoon (photo by Ginger Allsup)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Penn Activity Center played host to a Giant. He may wear the uniform of the New York Giants, but Tyler Sash’s works around Oskaloosa show he’s a giant in heart and character.

Coming off a night of signing autographs for the TJ Goemaat fundraiser, Sash was all smiles as he sat on stage flanked by a former coach and other local dignitaries; while the Oskaloosa Fight Song played.

A video presentation started off the day that highlighted the history, along with activities, of the Lacey Complex and the Stadium. It also featured photos of the many activities that happen at the complex during the year, including the first touchdowns at the new stadium.

Community was a major focal point of the days presentation, as Mayor Krutzfeldt pointed out. “This is an event we’re getting together to recognize a number of things. The youth of our community, the efforts they’re putting out. The character that creates. We’re going to be spending some time talking about community and just the way everyone comes together to support the youth activities here in Oskaloosa.”

After watching the video showcasing the Lacey Complex, Krutzfeldt stated, “These things don’t happen just by accident. They happen by people who have a vision and a sense of what the community is capable of. I don’t know of anyone who has done more to help with that vision and to spur people to do things that are good for the community,” and with that Krutzfeldt welcomed Joe Crookham to the podium to speak further on youth, family, the community and the continued vision for the Lacey Recreation Complex, along with the new stadium.

These are the things that Sash has quickly become known for in the community; his desire to motivate the youth to reach for a higher goal and to be a person of character, along with his generosity to those in need.

“I’m just pleased that someone who has the opportunity to achieve the stature that Tyler has, also places the youth and pride of the community as a priority as his goal that he’s committed to giving back. That’s how we make it all work. He’s earned his success by a huge effort.” These were the words shared to us by Joe Crookham after the ceremony where he spoke about youth, family and the community. “We’re very fortunate in our community to have someone who achieved to the level Tyler’s achieved and still believes in and holds in high value youth, family and community.”

Mayor Krutzfeldt said after the ceremony, “The key to the city is a unique type of recognition. It’s certainly something new for me to do. We have the environment a kid can excel and do good things. It’s really my hope that I’ll have more reasons to come up and do this key to the city thing, and as more people do more things for the community. Tyler did great things, he excelled in his athletics and he had good character. More importantly is the spirit of giving back to the City of Oskaloosa and the surrounding communities. Those are the things I want to recognize.”

“The real legacy we leave is when we’re doing things for other people; and so with GBNB Foundation, I think will be his legacy.”

“This is where I’m from. I’ll always be from here and be from the State of Iowa and I’m happy to represent the State of Iowa,” was Sash’s comments right after the ceremony was over at a little impromptu press area just off stage.

Tyler says the Oskaloosa Key is now going on the top shelf over New York’s, and even though he might still be interested to know if it will open Jaarsma on Sunday mornings, it appears he’s had the real keys to success for some time.

It’s interesting how a simple tweet has morphed itself into a memory for not only himself, but also Oskaloosa. If Mayor Krutzfeldt has his wish, this might just be the first of a new tradition for Oskaloosa.