Wigan Warriors star outlines pre-season prep after graduating university

Wigan Warriors and England forward Tyler Dupree has added ‘graduating from university’ to his already accomplished 2024.

The prop was part of the Wigan Warriors’ side that won the quadruple in 2024 but the Yorkshireman had also been completing a university degree on the side, of which he has now graduated.

Dupree first started his studies whilst back at Salford but continued them following his mid-season move to Wigan in 2023, going on to complete those studies whilst being a key member of a Warriors side that won it all in 2024.

After such success on the field, Dupree has described graduating and completing his Applied Sports Performance degree as ‘the cherry on top’ of the 2024 season.

Speaking on the club website, the 24-year-old explained: “It’s such a proud feeling.

“Graduating with a degree is something I never thought would happen as a child so to be able to share this moment with the whole family is just surreal.”

Wigan Warriors forward lands degree on top of quadruple

University degrees are challenging enough but balancing that with the demands of being a professional athlete and still earning starts in a forward pack as stacked as Wigans is some testament to the effort Dupree put in.

On that, he explained: “It was tough, especially through pre-season,” a period that the prop will now be able to tackle without the added pressure of his academic studies.

“There were times I wanted to pack things in and just focus on playing but my post-rugby career is important to me so I knew I had to stick with it. To achieve this accomplishment at the end has made all the tough times worth it.”

With all eyes now looking forward to 2025 when Wigan Warriors will aim to defend three of their four trophies, with the World Club Challenge sadly not being contested, Dupree has spoken on his prep.

“I asked the question ‘what can I do more’ to make sure I stay at the top,” Dupree said. “I had one week off when I went on holiday but other than that I’ve been training everyday to make sure I return in the best possible shape.

“It’s been hard but my aim is to return with high levels of fitness to give myself a strong starting base for the season. Last year was fantastic with all the trophies but to get the personal accolade in my degree earlier this month was the cherry on top.”

Wigan Warriors will open up the 2025 Super League season when they host Leigh Leopards in Round One. They’ll also head to Las Vegas to take on Warrington in Round Three.