Congratulations to Jake Bodner, our Player of the Month!
Position: Hooker
Height: 5’7″
Weight: 165 lbs
Year: Rising Senior
Major: Biology, Health, and Society
Hometown: Ridgefield, CT
Why did you decide to play rugby?
In high school, my friends raved about rugby. I got tired of lax bros. The switch was logical.
What have you liked about Michigan Rugby so far?
UMRFC has provided access to people across campus, the nation, and the world whom I otherwise wouldn’t have met. This opportunity to meet new people, especially from different backgrounds, is one of the things I value most about college.
Describe your most memorable moment on the field.
It’s probably when some jerk on Michigan State decided in a ruck that he didn’t like me, so he called me a shrimp. Ironic, because he was easily over 6 feet tall and still couldn’t win back the ball…Otherwise, it’s the time good ole Tanner Visco was about to get crushed by a prop, so he dished me the ball so I would take the hit instead. The risk to my well-being was one he was willing to take.
What’s your most favorite rugby drill in practice? Least favorite?
My favorite drill is definitely the knee-touch wrestling game. My least favorite are disguised fitness drills, like quick-ball sprint races.
What other sports have you played?
Wrestling, lacrosse, football, and ping pong.
What do you see yourself doing in five years?
An excellent question, George, I’m glad you asked. I could be in a graduate school seeking a health-related degree, or maybe I’ll be working in the health field, or maybe I’ll be teaching high school bio/chem somewhere.
What is an embarrassing childhood memory that you can share with us?
In fourth grade, I had to paint a self-portrait in, you guessed it, art class. It was pretty trash, but I had a beautiful blue somehow. When I tried to add shadow to my nose to make it look more three-dimensional, I used a dark brown instead of a light brown. A LOT. Absolutely botched it. Many a tear was shed at that time.
What is your favorite place in Ann Arbor?
South Quad Dining Hall
What is your biggest fear?
Disappointment. And Bryce Watson with any explosives.
What is your favorite food?
Egg ramen
Do you have any game-day superstitions?
You make your own luck. I don’t believe in any stitions, super or small.
Who is your favorite superhero and why?
Tony Stark. He radically changes his personality and behavior to overcome his personal evils in pursuit of becoming a better person. Personal growth is hard, and he does a heck of a lot of it. The world needs more of that.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Choose your own:
(1) You make your own luck.
(2) If you’re not a part of the solution, you’re a part of the problem.
Again, congratulations to our August Player of the Month, Jake Bodner!
