Spotlight on Gilbert Bayonne
Soccer has always been in Gilbert Bayonne’s bloodlines, whether it’s having an uncle who played in the 1974 World Cup for Haiti, or a father that played college soccer at Mercy College.
Growing up in Amityville, Long Island, NY, Bayonne started playing soccer at a young age and continued to play all throughout his life, even as he finishes up his senior year at the University of Bridgeport. Bayonne, a Business Administration major, did not even think UB would be his first choice when it came to playing collegiate soccer. He was recruited by Division I programs including Seton Hall University, St. Peter’s College and Bucknell University. It wasn’t until unfortunate circumstances that disallowed him to play for those schools that he learned about the Purple Knights and their soccer program.
“When other things fell through he [Brian Quinn, UB men’s soccer head coach] continued to call me and I just came up for a visit and I felt at home,” Bayonne said. “I felt like I could be a big part of the team, so I basically made my decision to come here.”
During his freshman year at UB [Fall 2006], Bayonne experienced some transition difficulties. He was a star player at St. John Baptist Diocesan High School but at first, the college game was tough for him to adjust to. It wasn’t until his sophomore year, where Bayonne saw his all round skills improve. During a game on August 30, 2007 against Nyack College at the Franklin Pierce University Invitational in Rindge, New Hampshire, he scored the game winning goal to prevail the Purple Knights past the Warriors 5-1.
His most memorable moment came on September 5, 2008 at Knights Field against Caldwell College. Not only was he recruited by Caldwell and scored the game winning goal in overtime by beating the Cougars 1-0, Bayonne also experienced a moment that he will always cherish.
“That game was one of my best games that always sticks in my memory,” Bayonne said. “We had a good amount of fans and my mother and brother come out for the game.”
Off the field, Bayonne enjoys listening to J Cole, Usher and NAS. Reading is another hobby of his, as he enjoys subjects on political issues, non-fiction and biographies. During his time here, one of his most influential facility members was Roxie Ray from the Academic Resource Center.
“During my first year, adjusting to college and the academic level, she was my original advisor when I was in general studies before I got into Business,” Bayonne said. “She was really helpful, easy to talk and someone you could always rely on.”
Brian Quinn, who coached Bayonne the past four years, remembers a lot of positives he brought to the program.
“He was a very dangerous player and was always a big threat because of his shooting and speed, Quinn said. “The personality of the guy, we are going to miss quite a bit.”
After Bayonne graduates in May, he hopes to eventually attend law school at St. John’s University, with the desire to become a criminal attorney or civil rights attorney. An alternative route for him is to play professional soccer overseas in Europe or with a scheduled tryout with the Major League Soccer team New York Red Bull in June.
Senior, Tyler Endyke, remembers a certain moment with his teammate, at Molloy College last October 17 and describes it as Bayonne’s biggest moment as a Purple Knight.
“He had one of those trademark shots to beat Molloy in overtime on their senior night,” Endyke said. “It was such a tough game and seeing him hit that shot was something I’ll remember for a long time.”
Bayonne wants to be remembered because of his work ethic and willingness to give it all.
“I want to be remembered as somebody who worked hard every day, stepped out there and put out his best effort,” Bayonne said. “Maybe I wasn’t a vocal leader, but I was just trying to put out the best example for younger players and anyone around me on the team.”
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