Tanner Hallock (left), Tate Hallock (middle), and Theryn Hallock (right) have all played Division I athletics at Michigan State University. Photo Courtesy of Theryn Hallock.
Theryn Hallock, a rising junior for MSU's women’s basketball team and reigning Sixth Player of the Year in the Big Ten, knows how to bring the energy on the court and has goals of being a leader for the team in her final two seasons.
Her fire comes from her family. Having a father and two older brothers as Spartan football alumni only adds to her drive for success.
“I think I would’ve been involved in sports if my family wasn’t as big in athletics, but I don’t think I would’ve found a lot of passion,” Theryn Hallock said. “That’s a huge part of being a Spartan, too.”
Ty Hallock, her dad, earned All-Conference honors at MSU in 1992 at linebacker, was drafted to the Detroit Lions in 1993 and spent six years in the NFL. Since his retirement in 2001, Ty Hallock served on the coaching staff at Forest Hills Central High School in Grand Rapids, where he coached his two sons on the varsity team.
Tanner, the eldest Hallock sibling, was a standout quarterback at the high school level and joined MSU's football program as a walk-on in 2017. His younger brother, Tate, an All-State talent at receiver and safety, played in 18 games at MSU from 2019-2022 before leaving for Western Michigan as a graduate transfer. Last season for the Broncos, Tate Hallock recorded 75 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble. He'll return for a sixth collegiate season this fall.
When the Hallock siblings were younger, they often found themselves in their basement or backyard competing against each other in knee hockey or mini-lacrosse. These contests, Tate Hallock said, would get competitive.
“We’d shove each other into walls; ruined a couple walls,” Tate Hallock said. “My brother, one time, threw me into the light switches and I’m pretty sure I threw a stick at him."
Tanner Hallock said the family can get heated even when playing cards, and the competitiveness in their family is unmatched.
“I don’t think people realize enough, (Theryn) never ever sat back and watched us play with our guy friends, whether it be tackle football, two-hand touch, mini-lacrosse,” Tanner Hallock said. “Quite frankly, we beat the crap out of her. She tried to shed a couple of tears and have us not notice, but would get right back into it."
Growing up with older brothers, Theryn Hallock’s mental toughness was developed at a young age. While Tate said Theryn and Tanner are more similar personality-wise, Tanner said Tate is the most competitive person he’s met, and Theryn can match him.
“(Theryn) and Tate are just killers,” Tanner Hallock said. “It’s just the competitive drive, just never satisfied. It’s fun to watch them. I feel like I was always digging deep to find that.”
Theryn Hallock said she couldn't picture her life as better with a sister and said having brothers made her stronger and more confident. Encountering difficult scenarios to navigate in high school made her realize how important her relationship with her family was.
All three of the Hallock siblings emphasized the magnitude of their dad’s influence on each of their mindsets. They said through all the competition growing up, Ty Hallock had been supportive of all their endeavors.
“He was my role model. I just wanted to be exactly like him,” Tate said. “Obviously, Theryn’s different, but I know she wanted to be just as successful as he was.”
Tanner Hallock said he never felt pressure from his dad to follow in his footsteps; Ty Hallock was a believer in his kids following their own passions and doing so with 100 percent. Despite this lack of pressure, all three ended up following his path to East Lansing.
“You just know he wanted one of his kids to go to Michigan State,” Tanner Hallock said. “But, he was the first to say to Theryn, 'If Iowa works out, then go to Iowa, that would be fantastic.' I think the legacy thing came from the siblings. I think we wanted to carry it on.”
In addition to her father’s support, Theryn Hallock said she always had her brothers to offer help, whether it was with rebounding, relationship advice, or help with her transition from high school to college.
“My biggest thing was just trying to guide her and let her know, you gotta do the right things," Tanner Hallock said. “If you make the sacrifice and stay away from the stuff that can get you in trouble, there’ll be a lot better chance of you living out your dreams.”
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Tanner Hallock said all three of them are best friends and while there was a lot of pushing and shoving when they played sports together, they still took a little extra care for Theryn Hallock as the younger sister. Tanner Hallock said he would always try to include Theryn in everything they did.
“We just are a unit; we always do everything together,” Tanner Hallock said. “(Theryn's) a warrior. I think people can see that in the way she plays. You can tell she came from a couple of older brothers that were rough and tough.”
Theryn Hallock's goals at MSU include starting next season and receiving a captain role within the next two years. She said she wants to see her team win the Big Ten and make a national title run.
“At the end of the day, I’m here to win championships,” Theryn Hallock said. “Hopefully, get a Big Ten title or even a national title would be super cool, but obviously start small first and get the conference wins.”
Theryn Hallock said she is grateful to represent her family. Not many people can say their whole family went to the same university and she takes a lot of pride in being able to tell others what football position her brothers or dad have played.
“I love being a Hallock, I wouldn’t want my life any other way,” Theryn Hallock said. “I love the name I have on my back.”
