UMass Magazine Online

Spring 2005

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There Goes the Neighborhood

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Naming Rites
Every time Garber ’07 takes the lacrosse field, he honors his family's legacy

—Matt Vautour




	Brett Garber ’07 plays to win on Garber Field, named for his grandfather.

A GIFT BRETT GARBER RECEIVED on his 13th birthday still hangs in his family’s home in Avon, Conn.

The framed Team USA jersey was a gift from Garber’s idol, Mark Millon ’94—Major League Lacrosse’s all-time leading scorer—and remains one of his most treasured possessions.

In a way, Millon’s UMass uniform hangs in Garber’s locker. It’s not the very jersey that Millon wore as a Minuteman from 1990 to 1993, but the number on the back is the same. Garber took the number three in Millon’s honor.

But the sophomore’s connection to the UMass Amherst lacrosse program stretches far beyond Millon. Garber is the grandson of legendary Minuteman coach Dick Garber—for whom the school’s field is named. Garber, who led the program from 1955 to 1990, was one of the school’s most beloved figures and is a member of the Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Brett’s father, Ted Garber, succeeded Dick Garber and coached the Minutemen from 1991 to 1994.

“Playing every day on this field is unbelievable,” says Brett Garber. “I knew
it was going to be a great experience, but it’s so much more that that. It’s an honor to
be out there every day.”

Current UMass coach Greg Cannella has a unique perspective. He played under Dick Garber and was an assistant coach under Ted. He has modeled his coaching style on the Garbers’, keeping alive their ideals.

He has shared those ideals with Brett, who was only 10 years old when his grandfather passed away. “Coach Cannella tells me a lot of his memories. Alumni tell me a lot of stories about my father and my grandfather,” he says. “I knew my grandfather was recognized as an outstanding man, but I didn’t really understand the level until I became close with Coach. I feel I have to live up to being a great person like he was. To try to be a great friend and teammate and overall a great person because I know that’s what he was.”

Cannella’s been impressed. “It’s been a great experience for me too, to be able to give something back to the family,” Cannella said. “Brett’s a great kid. It’s been special having him here.”

Ted Garber, now coaching at Avon Old Farms, a Connecticut prep school, said seeing his son on Garber Field for the first time was an emotional experience.

“I went up there and I walked out on the field, and there’s my dad’s plaque and Brett out on the field. It all hit home quickly,” he said. “Having him out there on my dad’s field—where I coached also—is awesome.”

Brett agrees. He thinks of that as he walks onto the field past the plaque that bears his grandfather’s face at the south end of the stadium.

“I give him a little wink. I know he’s here with me,” Garber said. “Then I go out there and realize where I am, and I have the time of my life because I know that’s what my grandfather would want me to do.”

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