The Bona Venture

Issue date: 3/12/10 Section: Sports

Image courtesy of Becky McKeown

The men's soccer team will reunite with a familiar face when it squares off against the Rochester Rhinos in a March 27 exhibition match in Corning, N.Y.

After four seasons in Brown and White, senior defender Tyler Bellamy signed with the Rhinos Feb. 26. Bellamy was named to the Second-Team All-Atlantic 10 this past fall after helping the Bonnies to their best record in a decade (10-9), including the first postseason victory in program history.

Bellamy wrote in an e-mail that playing professionally has been a longtime dream of his.

"My first thought was, 'this can't be real,'" Bellamy wrote. "I was excited, thrilled, ecstatic, just filled with emotions running wild. It was one of those moments that you remember for the rest of your life, every detail about it, and you cherish all of it.

"It's nice. It's a good feeling. Almost a feeling of relief that all the hours and work I put into soccer is finally paying off. It's awesome, it's a dream come true."

Coach Mel Mahler said he was happy for Bellamy, though not surprised by his signing.

"I felt all along that he had the ability to play at the next level," Mahler said. "When we recruited him four years ago, the upside to Ty at the time was his athleticism and how fast he would make the adjustment to this level. By mid-year of his senior year, he was playing his best soccer. He's somebody who, from a defending standpoint, could really take over a game."

Bellamy wrote he felt professional soccer was in his future, just not immediately.

"When the season ended, I truly felt I had the potential to play professional soccer … (but) I felt as though it was going to take me a year or so to sharpen my skills and polish certain aspects of (my) game," Bellamy wrote. "I never doubted my abilities to play at the next level. I knew it would happen one day; I just didn't know it would be so soon."

The Rhinos, founded in 1996, play in United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Division 2, the second tier of the American soccer pyramid. They return just three players from last season, have a new coach, Bob Lilley, and a new general manager, Pat Ercoli, who coached the team in its first eight seasons, winning three league championships.

Mahler said he hinted to Lilley that Bellamy could be a solid addition to the rebuilding Rhinos.

"Like in most cases, you've got to be in the right place at the right time. The Rhinos were looking for defenders (and) he was available," Mahler said. "I thought Ty deserved a real, serious look, (and) they provided that for him. But then again, you have to have the ability to play. No matter what we as coaches do to get our players in those situations to get a tryout, you have to have the ability."

Bellamy has played against professional teams before, with the Ocean City Barons of the fourth-tier Premier Development League.

In last year's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which includes all teams affiliated with the USSF, the Barons defeated third-tier teams Crystal Palace Baltimore and Real Maryland before falling to D.C. United of MLS in the round of 16.

Ironically, the 1999 Rhinos are the only non-MLS team to win the Open Cup since the top league debuted in 1996.

Bellamy wrote that after his sophomore year, he felt he could play professionally, but after the two Open Cup wins, he knew he could.

"That's when I knew I could play at the next level, because I played extremely well both of those games and (could) handle this level of competition very well," Bellamy wrote. "Now I just have to become more consistent and more steadfast game in and game out."

Mahler, who coached Rhinos' veteran goalkeeper Scott Vallow at Bowling Green, said Bellamy will have to adjust to being a professional athlete.

"This is now a job … meaning you have to take care of your body, you have to get proper rest, you have to eat properly, you have to train more seriously, and the results that you have will dictate your future in the game," Mahler said.

"The biggest difference is this isn't college soccer now. You don't, after practice, go to the dining hall, you don't go back to your dorm room, you don't go back to class. This is a full-time job, and that will take some time for him to make the adjustment."

Bellamy wrote he is taking the precautions Mahler advised him to as he participates in the first week of Rhinos' training camp, which began Monday.

"Soccer is my lifestyle now; I will be judged and paid based on how I perform," Bellamy wrote. "So, right now I'm just training, eating healthy, and taking care of the body. I am hoping to be ready to fight and challenge for a solid spot on the team, if not a starting role."

Bellamy added he is excited to play in front of thousands of fans at Rochester's Marina Auto Stadium, as well as places like Miami, Puerto Rico and Vancouver, and wrote he is confident he will be a contributor to the team early.

"I am confident and convinced that I can bring something to the organization that will help the club," Bellamy wrote. "I guess if (Lilley) didn't think I could bring something to the table he wouldn't have signed me … so I'm looking forward to a great season. I'm really eager to play in front of the thousands and tens of thousands of fans that come out to the games every night, (as opposed to) Bona's, where our average attendance was maybe 100 on a nice day."

Mahler said about one percent of college players move on to the next level, and he thinks Bellamy will make the most of his opportunity.

"He's in that one percentile, so hopefully he can enjoy the experience," Mahler said. "I feel that in time, if he continues to develop as he has just in the past two-and-a-half years, I think Ty can get to the MLS level."

Bellamy wrote he still plans to graduate in May, as his professors have agreed to let him finish his classes online or by phone.

"I am indebted to my professors for working with me so that I could complete my degree and get my diploma," Bellamy said. "That was a major concern of my parents, and it makes them very pleased that I am finishing school."

Bellamy added he looks forward to the excitement the next few months figure to bring him.

"I plan to graduate at the end of the year with my degree in hand and walk with all my friends and teammates right by my side," Bellamy wrote. "The hardest and only sad part about this new journey in my life (is) leaving all my friends and teammates at Bona's, but it's time, and they all understand and support me, so that made the transition much easier.

"It's time to pursue a dream that I've had ever since started playing soccer."

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