Finding family in the scrum: How sports gave Garrett Hyten community in Germany, Charlotte

Garrett Hyten, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, had a unique path to UNC Charlotte. Born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, he moved to a military base in Visleck, Germany, at 8 years old. He attended an American military school and had an ordinary high school experience from homecoming to having his mom as a teacher. 

It was in Germany that Hyten discovered his love for sports. He started with wrestling and eventually decided to try football in high school. This choice led to three seasons of success, including two years as team captain. He gained skills that would translate to the Charlotte club rugby field — where Hyten had a breakout season as a freshman.

He reflects on his years overseas, his journey to UNC Charlotte and how joining the rugby club helped him find his place and community on campus.

What were some highlights of growing up in Germany?

I lived very close to the Czech Republic border, and it made for an easy day trip. My favorite high school memory was traveling for a football game against a military school based in England. We stayed in the Cambridge dorms and toured the campus — it was an incredible experience.

What was the high school experience like for you on a military base?

My school was on one of the smaller bases, so it was a very small school. It was a training base, so not many people stayed there long term. You typically made your core friends around junior or senior year, because they were more likely to graduate from that high school instead of transferring to another base. But traveling outside the base was easy and fun. As a young adult in Germany, you could do a lot more than you could in the United States.

You mentioned the turnover amongst the students on base. Why was being a part of a team important?

Being part of a team was a great way to meet new people. I lived there long enough to have friends who were also children of teachers. I had a core group because of that, and over time, we were able to bring others in. It’s easy to get to know people on a military base.

How did you get to UNC Charlotte?

It was challenging because I was only able to tour colleges during the summer. I spent summers in North Carolina, so going out of state didn’t make much sense. We toured Chapel Hill, NC State, ECU and Charlotte in one summer. Still, it was difficult because I didn’t know anyone who attended those schools, so I was going into it blind. I saw the potential Charlotte had. I like the city, and I enjoy the campus as well.

How was the transition from Germany to Charlotte?

Coming to UNC Charlotte from overseas was challenging, but everyone was very kind and welcoming. I didn’t have a roommate, so I missed out on the typical college roommate experience, but joining the rugby community helped fill that gap. As the child of a teacher, I’ve always been focused on my schoolwork, which made the transition easier.

Tell me about your college experience so far.

When I came to college, my football coach suggested I try rugby to stay active. I attended the rugby club’s first practice of the season. Rugby was definitely a learning curve after football — it’s a completely different sport. It’s not even comparable. The entire team came together during my first season to work on our skills. As our team improved, we made it to the finals against North Carolina State University.

Academically, I decided to major in mechanical engineering, because I knew I was strong in math and science. All of the professors I’ve had in the engineering department have been amazing. Coming from a military base, it was interesting to see how everyone came from different educational backgrounds.

What was the transition from football to rugby like and what has the club meant to you? 

Rugby is fast-paced, and you really have to trust your instincts. Football helped with my quick decision-making on the field, but in football, you have a set play. In rugby, it’s constant motion, and you have to make the right decisions on the fly.

The rugby club is where I made most of my friends during freshman year. Playing on the field, being aggressive and having each other’s backs always helps strengthen our friendships. Our trip to Washington, D.C., for the club national tournament was a blast. We all grew closer as a team. On the last night, we hung out together and did activities as a group — definitely a highlight.

How do you feel like you’ve developed as a person since coming to Charlotte?

I’ve become more outgoing. I’ve never been very extroverted, but toward the end of the school year, I realized that everyone here shares a similar goal, and no one is judging you. I enjoy trying new things I never thought I’d do before.