By Mike Specht
Staff Writer
The Bonnies’ match against Rutgers last Saturday was cancelled due to complications from Hurricane Sandy. The game is rescheduled for Sat. Nov. 17 at home. The Bonnies next opponent is Iona College (5-3-0) at home tomorrow at 1 p.m.
The Bonnies still have a chance to make the Empire Rugby Conference playoffs. They will need to win their last two matches in order to qualify for the postseason.
Coach Clarence Picard says that besides winning out the rest of their schedule, other teams will define their postseason fate.
“If we win out the next two games, we have a decent shot at the playoffs,” Picard said. “If Stony Brook University wins their last three games, they will earn the spot in the playoffs. It’s not really in our control. The only thing we can control is our next two games.”
In the past four years, senior flanker Jon Garbin became the quintessential rugby player, and even more importantly, a well-rounded individual.
Born and raised in Kenmore, N.Y., Jon attended Kenmore West High School, where he picked up rugby, mainly to stay in shape for football season. There he fell in love with the sport.
“The camaraderie you have with other teammates is much more of a team sport; you need to be one player of fifteen players.” Garbin said.
After high school, Garbin chose Bonaventure in part to play rugby, but because of also the positive things he heard from high school friends who were at Bonaventure. Coming into his freshman year, his work ethic and determination surprised his coach and teammates alike.
“Jon was unexpectedly the first in his class to start for us,” said Coach Clarence Picard. “We didn’t see him having the career that he ended up having.”
The past four years at St. Bonaventure altered Jon as a person. During his sophomore year, his best friend Matt Dungan died tragically. Jon had to cope with the loss, and the university community helped him immensely.
“It was a real transition in my life.” Garbin said. “His loss really brought the team together. I started meeting with the friars, Father Dan especially, he really helped me out in that tough time. St. Bonaventure became much more than a college to me, with all the support from the faculty and students. “
Losing Matt lit a fire within Garbin, as he improved significantly on the pitch. During the same semester as Matt’s death, Garbin captained the team when it faced Canisius College and Niagara University in a tournament. Garbin described the tournament as the best games he’d ever played. He scored three tries in the tournament and was later named team MVP.
Off the pitch, Jon is a well-respected individual on campus. His teammate and good friend Kevin McCorry holds Garbin in high regard.
“Jon really came into his own when he came to Bonaventure,” McCorry said. “He is someone who will drop whatever he is doing to help a friend out. He’s an absolute monster on the field. I’m so glad he’s on our side. He’s one of the most valuable guys on our team.”
“He’s one of the funniest guys you’ll meet,” Picard said. “He’s a very hard worker also; Jon values this team and this university more than most people.”
This past Tuesday, Garbin was crowned Mr. SBU. His efforts on the stage, especially his skills with the ukuele, won over the crowd.
“I started playing a few years ago,” Garbin said. “I carry it around sometimes and nobody expects to see somebody playing the ukulele.”
As he prepares for life after St. Bonaventure, Garbin said he’ll miss the social aspect of college the most. He said he made many friends on campus, but he expects to visit in the future, especially to watch his fellow ruggers.
Garbin, a marketing major, hopes to land a sales or advertising job in Buffalo.
As the team prepares for two decisive matches, they’ll look to players like Jon Garbin to set an example for the team.
“He’s a number one guy,” Picard said. “We have very high regard for Jon.”
