AMERICAN FORK — About 20 hours after his game-winning shot with nine seconds remaining lifted BYU over Saint Mary’s, Cougars guard Tyson Jay “TJ” Haws became a father for the first time Sunday evening in what he anticipated to be “one of the coolest experiences” of his life.
Tyson Ralph Haws was born at 6:12 p.m. at American Fork Hospital during the first half of Super Bowl 54. Tyson Ralph Haws’ mother Lauren was induced early Sunday morning.
“Cougar Nation!,” TJ Haws tweeted Sunday night. “Thank you for all your support! Last night was truly amazing! ... but for Lauren and me, today was even better. Everyone welcome Tyson Ralph Haws to the world.”
Ralph Haws is the father of Marty Haws and grandfather of TJ and BYU’s all-time leading scorer, Tyler, and is one of BYU’s biggest supporters.
The infant, whom BYU coach Mark Pope said he will start recruiting immediately, weighed in at 6 lbs., 15 oz. and is 21 inches in length.
“Lauren and baby are doing great,” Marty Haws reported late Sunday night. “TJ is expecting to have a normal week of practice/games as the team keeps working toward reaching their goals.”
The Cougars (17-7, 6-3) moved into a tie with Saint Mary’s for second place in the West Coast Conference standings with the victory, having split the season series with the Gaels.
BYU plays at Portland on Thursday at 8 p.m. MST, then returns to the Marriott Center on Saturday for a rematch with San Francisco, having lost 83-82 to the Dons on Jan. 25 at War Memorial Gym in San Francisco.
“I am excited to recruit his child, because his child in the womb has experienced some really fun things and is going to be ready to go,” Pope said after Haws scored 17 of his team-high 23 points in the second half Saturday night at the Marriott Center.