Garett Donath

Spring 2008 - Winter 2010

Outside Center, Wing, Fullback

Biography

When my roommate and fellow UW rugby alum, Ryan Funderburk, initially convinced me to join the UW Rugby team, it served as a productive break from my engineering studies. As time passed, it gave me an appreciation in the diversity and inclusivity needed for a good team and inherent in the sport. Ultimately, it gave me a great way to see a lot of the US and world, while developing life long friendships.

Please share a fun fact about you or your favorite rugby memory.

Favorite memory was easily the underdog run the 2009 team had to become DII National Runners-Up. The international tour to Italy is a close second.

Is there a specific achievement or contribution you're especially proud of from your time on the team?

Scoring the game winning try against Salisbury University, in the 79th minute, in the round of 16 playoffs was a pretty special individual achievement. At the club level, being a part of a hard working team that climbed the ranks in DII, got promoted to DI, and laid the groundwork for the next generation of ruggers to then take the reigns and continue that winning legacy feels great.

What have you been up to since graduating, or how did rugby impact your post-college life?

Coming Soon!

Who were your most influential coaches or teammates, and why?

Besides Ryan Funderburk convincing me to come out and give the sport a try, the next most influential teammate was Zach Albert. He took the time when I first joined to show me the basic skills I needed to play.

Skip Heffernan, Lisa Riehl, and Ross Hopkins were instrumental in helping me physically and mentally improve my game.

What advice would you give to current or future rugby players at UW-Madison?

Coming Soon!