NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Monroe’s new women’s soccer coach is not new to Monroe soccer. Head women’s socer coach Jonathan Garbar has been the chief assistant in the men’s soccer program since 2008 when the team began to develop into one of the nation’s winningest teams with two trips to the National tournament (second place, fourth place) and two District and Region championships. And now as the head man for women’s soccer, Coach Garbar will put into place the same tried-and-true winning values of commitment, top-notch training, and never-say-die team play that can build last year’s Division III national finalists into Division I national champions.
“There’s no compromise here,” said Coach Garbar, “we’re going to develop a winning program with student/athletes who have passion not only for the game of soccer but for themselves, young women who see themselves as winners on and off the field. When you input character, discpline, and hard work into your program from the first day of practice until the final day of the season, there can only be positive outcomes.”
Known for his stirring motivational speeches before games, Coach Garbar is passionate about the game of soccer and about supporting the athletes in his charge. He was a winner at the academy, high school, and college levels and views the teaching and proper coaching of it as his life’s mission.
“I don’t obsess about winning,” he said. “Winning comes naturally when you are willing to dedicate yourself to earning the success that you and those that believe in you, dream of. We win here, because it’s what we have earned… and earning is our obsession.”
Coach Garbar, who is fluent in Spanish and Portugese, has been involved in the game of soccer since the age of five. Because he grew up in Colombia, South America and New Jersey, for Coach Garbar soccer was as much a cultural experience as it was an athletic one. His understanding of the game, as well as his knowledge and passion for it, goes far beyond the basics.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Delaware, Coach Garbar moved to New York City to pursue a career in education and athletics. He earned his Master’s Degree from Pace University and then began coaching at Benjamin Banneker Academy, where he led both the men’s and women’s program for three seasons. The women’s program were two-time undefeated Division Champions winning in both the ‘A,’ and ‘B’ divisions. The men’s program went on to enjoy its best record in school history and most importantly, graduated every student athlete. On top of it all, Coach Garbar spends his brief off-season time working to improve as a coach and develop young players. He received his NSCAA license and works in the Caribbean and South America with various youth academies. He also worked in the Red Bull Academy.
“The goal of this program is simply this: to leave every person who wears our colors with the feeling that they were part of the greatest athletic experience in the nation. Not only did they develop as athletes and as people, but they were part of something inspirational, something ‘right,’ something that defines them, defines us, and something that we claim as our own. At Monroe soccer is not a sport, but a lifestyle and one that we are extremely proud of and committed to.”