VALDOSTA — Running alongside his father and the team his dad coaches, Tyler Hatcher can be seen as a child who enjoys being around football.

At such a tender age, the enjoyment in his young eyes can be seen by any onlooker, as Tyler plays catch with Valdosta State players on the side of the field during practice or suits up in a mini uniform during VSU games.

If history is any indication, then there is a good chance that Tyler will grow up to be a terrific football player and even better student of the game.

The same formula worked for his father, Chris Hatcher, who over 20 years ago stood near his own father during football practices and today will be inducted into the Division II football Hall of Fame in Florence, Ala.

Hatcher, who played as the Blazers’ quarterback from 1991 to ’94 and has been Valdosta State’s head coach since 2000, will be enshrined for his achievements throwing the football.

“It’s a great honor and it reflects a lot about Valdosta State, the guys I played with and the coaches at that time,” Hatcher said. “It represents all of those guys.

“It’s nice to be known as one of the best.”

During his playing days, Hatcher let it be known to many that he was one of the best, setting 14 school records, 13 Gulf South Conference records and 17 Division II national records as a two-time all America selection and a Harlon Hill Trophy winner.

While Hatcher’s on-the-field statistics made him a good player, it was the way he participated in the game off the field that made him standout.

“I knew he would be special because he always studied the game as a little kid,” Chris’s father Edgar Hatcher said. “No matter what sport he played he was always smart.

“He’s a good athlete, but the intelligence he had toward the game made him great.”

The way Hatcher uses that intelligence and other intangibles that added to him becoming a star stems from genetics and his upbringing.

Hatcher learned leadership from watching his father coach young men as a high school coach and inherited his organizational skills from his grandmother.

“There was always something a little special about him,” Edgar said. “Even though he was my son other people noticed it too.

“He was always a leader with a great attitude and he played smart.”

The teachings of his family set up Chris’ success including one of Edgar’s biggest lessons.

“When I was just getting started in baseball, he asked me after the game, ‘Did you have fun?’” Chris said. “If I said no, he would have told me to turn in my uniform.”

That lesson still remained in his coaching days, as father still goes up to son asking if he enjoyed coaching that day.

“You have to enjoy the athletic venue,” Chris said.

Luckily for the coach of the Blazers, his five-year old son also enjoys the athletic venue the same as the previous two Hatcher generations.

“I’m glad that he enjoys sports as much as I do,” Chris said. “It’s always nice to incorporate family into the job, especially one that takes up so much time.

“Having him be a part of the team makes it that much more fun to coach.”

Edgar felt the same way those many years ago and today now he enjoys being there as his son coaches.

“One of the good things about it is Chris used to ride with me on the bus,” Edgar said. “Now I ride with him.”

As family surrounds Chris for the ceremony, he will have words together to thank them and mention both Edgar and Tyler.

As for words from his father, Chris already knows how Edgar feels.

“Just like I tell my son every day that I do right,” Chris said. “He’s always proud of me, and something of this magnitude he’s proud of me.”

As far as expressing his feelings about this memorable day, Edgar will keep it simple and to the point.

“I’m going to tell him congratulations, and I love you,” Edgar said. “That will be enough.”