Rugby community tributes Mark Dombroski

As the St. Joe’s rugby team lifted the “Pope Francis Cup” trophy this week, the University of Notre Dame players showed a true example of compassion and sportsmanship  – they gathered midfield with their opponent, after being defeated, and prayed.

Notre Dame graduate student and rugby captain Patrick McMahon stood next to his coach, Justin Hickey, after losing to St. Joe’s in the 2018 Jesuit Cup 7’s Championship in Santa Clara.

“As the trophy ceremony was happening, I was thinking it would be a really cool thing to share in a prayer with them especially being at the Jesuit Cup where all eight of the teams were catholic universities,” McMahon said.

Both teams came together at midfield, kneeling in a circle hand in hand. The Notre Dame teammates thought it would be fitting to say the Hail Mary, as they do before every game.

They prayed for freshman Mark Dombroski, who died in March while on a rugby tournament trip with St. Joe’s in Bermuda. Since his death, the men’s rugby team has banded together to honor his life.

Dombroski was known for his bright smile, his enthusiasm and his dedication. His teammates are trying to match his attitude and carry his legacy on, said head coach Daniel Yarusso.

Facing injuries and the death of their teammate, the team has used adversity to motivate them.

Following the win, Yarusso struggled to fight back tears.

“These guys could have said, ‘You know what? We’re going to call it a season. We’re just going to lay down,’ but our school motto is The Hawk Will Never Die and these guys will never give up,” Yarusso said.

Upon receiving the trophy, Yarusso dedicated it to the Dombroski family.

Sophomore Noah Niumataiwalu was named MVP of the tournament and received the “Mark Lee Dombroski Most Outstanding Player” Award, which the tournament organizers named in Dombroski’s honor.

Niumataiwalu, who had a hat trick in the championship match and finished with eight scores for the Hawks, played alongside Dombroski in high school at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware.

Dombroski’s death has become a driving force for the team trying to keep his spirit alive through their play on the field and attitudes off the field.

Sophomore Tanner McIlrath also played with Dombroski at Archmere Academy. Before the championship game, McIlrath walked out carrying Domboski’s jersey, a special moment for him as Dombroski’s family watched the live stream of the championship match.

“We knew they’d be watching,” McIlrath said. “We’ve devoted this season to playing for Mark. We know he’s watching too and we just want to do it for him.”

McIlrath said there’s been an outpour of support from rugby teams across the country. The players of the United States national rugby union team even signed a jersey as a tribute.

“They just wanted to do something for Mark and his family too,” McIlrath said. “We were able to give that to Mark’s parents and brothers just to show them that they have support from the whole rugby community.”

Continuing to remember and honor Dombroski, the St. Joe’s rugby players have “MD15” written on their cleats and on the tape on their wrists. They also drink pickle juice before their games.

“One tradition that we’ve started is we drink pickle juice before each tournament,” Yarusso said. “And that’s something Mark did to help him with his cramping. So we do our ‘pickle juice power up’ before we get started each day and I think that kind of sets the tone for the guys a little bit and what we’re trying to achieve this season and beyond.”

McMahon and his Notre Dame teammates competed at the tournament in Bermuda in March. They saw the St. Joe’s team traveling through the airport the day they found out Dombroski went missing as the teams prepared to fly back to their respective schools.

The Monday following the announcement of Dombroski’s death, the Irish held a team meeting, trying to pull something positive from the tragic loss. For Notre Dame, for St. Joe’s and for the larger rugby community, their tributes to Mark are reinforcing the brotherhood and respect that is ingrained in rugby programs.

“These aren’t just faceless opponents; they’re people that you’ve had conversations with, guys who you played in high school,” McMahon said. “I think that tight knit community really makes a big difference and it allows people to care about the individuals on the other team. There is such deep respect for your opponent because everyone realizes how important the game is to them and beyond the game what the community means to them.”

Congrats @HawkRugby! Well deserved. Bless you boys. #MD15

— Notre Dame Rugby (@NDRugby) April 23, 2018