Aaron Hight was a two-time first team All-MIAA defensive back for the Gorillas, earning all-conference honors in each of his final two seasons at Pitt State in 2001 and 2002. The native of Riverton, Kansas lettered four years (1999-2002) after redshirting in his initial season with the Gorillas in 1998. He was voted a team captain by his peers during his senior season, in which he recorded 75 tackles and one interception as Pitt State’s starting free safety. He finished his career with 215 tackles and eight interceptions. For his work in the classroom, Hight earned second-team Academic All-America® honors in 2002. He also was a two-time member of the MIAA All-Academic Team. Aaron currently works as a project manager for Crossland Construction, overseeing projects in Kansas City, Fort Worth, Texas, and Southern California. He married the former Lacey Garvin in June 2008. The couple reside in his hometown, Riverton, Kansas.
1. What does being a Pitt State Gorilla mean to you?
“It means Pride, Loyalty, Commitment, Intensity, Honor, Excitement, Dedication, Respect, & Tradition just to name a few. Pittsburg State has molded me into the person I am today and I could not even imagine going anywhere else. Being a Gorilla is not just a thought, it is a way of life!”
2. What is the one attribute of PSU that was most influential in making the decision to attend PSU over all the other schools that recruited you?
“Tradition… I came to PSU to win! Pittsburg State has an amazing athletic program, the coaches care about each member of the team, and they push you to be the best you can be at all times. We pride ourselves in being great student-athletes, and it is evident will all the academic all-Americans our program has produced. PSU has an outstanding educational program, as well as, athletic program… Pittsburg had everything I ever wanted and more!”
3. What makes Pittsburg State such a special place for a student-athlete? What is your favorite thing about the town?
“As far as being a student-athlete in Pittsburg, Kansas: you get the best education and training as any other school within a 300 mile radius. On average, our technology program wins competitions against numerous Division I schools. We have a higher placement after graduation than any other school in the area as well. Pittsburg is the most football crazy town in the Midwest. Just come to a game and you can see the people out tailgating before it even gets light outside. There is so much pride throughout the area that no matter where you go you see PSU fans.”
4. What did being named a captain for the football team mean to you?
“It was an amazing feeling! Being voted captain by your fellow teammates is the biggest honor any player can achieve. It signifies all the hard work and dedication you have put into making the program and your team better.”
5. Being named a captain, your teammates obviously had a lot of respect for you. Do you still keep in touch with the guys that you played with?
“I still get to see a lot of my teammates, some of which I get to work with at Crossland Construction. On occasion we do some tailgating before the home games and catch up. I enjoy talking to everyone and finding how their life has gone after football.”
6. Besides being an All-American on the football field, you were also an Academic All-American in 2002 and were outstanding in the classroom throughout your entire time at PSU. Do you feel that the education you received here prepared you for your future and has helped you achieve some of your career goals?
“Definitely… the instructors I had in the technology program are the best in the Midwest and prepared me for a great future in the construction industry. I am currently building 15 million dollar projects and have worked in seven different states. I would not be in the position I am today if I had not worked hard on and off the field at PSU.”
7. It’s been nearly eight years since your last football game as a player. Do you still get a chance to watch the team play?
“I have not missed a home game since I stopped playing and go to several away games every year. I still wake up on game day excited!!! Just because my college days are over, I still consider myself part of the team. “Once a Gorilla, always a Gorilla!” I would play again in a heartbeat if Coach Beck could find some more eligibility for me. I will be waiting on that call!!! “
8. How much pride do you still take in being a part of the Gorilla family?
“Being a Gorilla is a state on mind… the gorilla family continues all year long and is very evident when driving around and seeing the license plates. Gorillas are kings of their surroundings and are leaders everywhere they go. The pride in my school and my team will never falter and will always overcome.”
9. Tell us about your experience playing for Coach Tim Beck. What was that relationship like? How did he treat you as a player? What quality does he have as a coach that you enjoyed the most?
“Playing for Coach Beck was an awesome experience. Our relationship was and still is great on and off the field of battle. He treated me with respect as I did him. He brought out the best in me at all times, not just in football. We both worked hard to better each other during practice and it showed on game day. Coach Beck is a great leader and will take this program to the next level!”
10. Lastly, if you can think of just one, what was your single favorite moment while playing at PSU?
“I would have to say my interception for a touchdown at the first Northwest/PSU clash at Arrowhead in KC… We never gave up, even at the very end of the game. There were so many other moments in my career at PSU that I will cherish forever and would not have dreamed it any other way. Looking back, PSU was the greatest choice for schools I could have ever made. I regret nothing and treasure everything during my years at PSU!”
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