Tyler joined AROMA prior to the Fall of 2018. Previously, Clabaugh spent two seasons on the bench as the Leadership & Character Coach for Messiah Men's Basketball.
In 2006, Tyler and his wife Kelly, started working on what was just supposed to be a week-long camp program alongside a small group of people to impact local youth, and connect athletes across school district lines for the purpose of winning greater championships in their lives. Just over a year later, they found themselves on a plane to El Salvador to facilitate that same program for youth from opposite sides of the civil war for that same purpose – and, little did they know what was supposed to be just a week-long camp program would soon become an extensive multi-year Athletic & Leadership Development Program that they now refer to as a “Journey of Excellence.”
Tyler earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Eastern University. His background includes 12-years of sports ministry experience as the Founder and Executive Director for Training Leaders through Athletics (TLA), a sports ministry he and his would be wife (Kelly) founded in 2007 – and, has offered ongoing Leadership & Character Coaching and mentoring for high school and college athletes, business professionals, and individuals who desire to know Jesus more deeply. Tyler has spoken extensively to groups ranging from 250-5,000 people, and has had the opportunity to progress hundreds of young adults through TLA’s full “Journey of Excellence” curriculum to date. One of his greatest passions is inviting others to serve with he and his family in El Salvador alongside the Salvadoran National Sports Department (INJUVE), and the character formation work they do alongside a team of chaplains within the Salvadoran Federal Prison System. More than anything, whether it is a high school student, college athlete, or a Salvadoran inmate, he loves mentoring and coming alongside others on their own “Journey of Excellence.” These efforts also served as Tyler being named the 2007 Most Outstanding Pennsylvanian and being named one of the Top Ten Young Americans (TOYA) in the country by the US Junior Chamber in 2008.
In addition to his work in leadership development, Tyler has previous coaching experience in basketball as well as strength and conditioning at the high school and collegiate level. Clabaugh spent two years as an assistant coach at Hanover HS and another year on the bench at Eastern University in addition to his time coaching at Messiah. Alongside this, Clabaugh has offered team development programs, workshops, retreats, mission trips, and coaches' Bible Studies for various colleges and universities, teams, and conferences, including: Eastern University, Wesley College, Cheyney University, York College of PA, HACC, and FCA as well as other church and civic organizations.
Clabaugh’s philosophy working within college athletics and sports ministry is that “the greatest gift we can give our teammates is an intimate relationship with Jesus.” He loves the outdoors, whitewater rafting, hiking, and sharing all of those with others he and his family are blessed to live alongside.
Tyler and his wife, Kelly, live with their two children, John-Paul (2 years) and Evelyn (Born May 2018) in Fairfield, PA. They are excited to work and serve alongside each other at Messiah.