By. Reid Okoniewski
Contributing Writer
We all receive the notifications from St. Bonaventure telling us that a fellow Bonnie, or relative of a Bonnie has passed away. I always stop what I’m doing and say a special prayer for that person and their family. Unfortunately, I was shocked by the Notice Board on Tuesday notifying me that senior defensemen Colleen Guilfoyle’s father had passed away on Saturday.
When I sat down with assistant coach Lilly Timlin and sophomore midfielder Mary Maestri, they had a powerful response to what had happened.
“We found out early that Saturday when Kaitlin (Jennings) told us about the passing of Colleen’s father, and what the team should do to rally and support Colleen,” Timlin said. “This team surprises me every day, especially as a former player.”
Something that struck the coaching staff was something that Jennings said to support a fellow teammate even more.
“Kaitlin came into the office and said senior day shouldn’t go on without her teammate and best friend,” Timlin said. “They started together, and they wanted to end their career together.”
Timlin also mentioned how much the gesture touched her heart.
Fellow teammate Mary Maestri said that what the team did was “anything that any family member would do.”
“That game (senior day) was already important enough for the seniors on the team; we wanted to add a little more support for Colleen,” Maestri said.
Maestri also said that teammates were going to the store and buying ribbons and shoelaces in honor of Mr. Guilfoyle.
“We wanted to honor one of our most loyal fans,” said Maestri. “He was always a huge supporter of our program, and we owe him the recognition that he deserves,” Timlin said.
It’s times like this where fans and athletes of the game show extended support to one of their own in a time of sorrow.
“We can’t go to the wake or funeral,” Maestri says, “but you can bet we’re going to be working and playing extra hard with Colleen and her family in our mind.”
The Bonnies lacrosse team travels to George Mason today and George Washington on Sunday.
