T.J. Garske is a two-sport athlete who participates in Golf and
Lacrosse at Saint Joseph's. He was selected as a Golf team captain
this fall and scooped up 37 ground balls with eight caused
turnovers for the lacrosse team last spring. As if he wasn't busy
enough, T.J. was recently added to the SJC Athletic Department
Staff as a student office worker.
Golf Head Coach Jamie Smyth
’92:
T.J. has been a solid performer on our golf team for the past
two seasons. He has always conducted himself in a very
professional manner on the golf course and is a great
representation of Saint Joseph’s College. This year he
has been selected as one of the team’s two captains and he
will provide great leadership for the younger players on the
team. T.J. has always worked very hard on his game and has
improved each year he has been a member of the golf team.
Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Mike
Edgar:
T.J. is very well liked by all his teammates. He is always
smiling and works hard every day to improve his skills. As a new
player I continue to see his game skills develop. T.J. is a
three-sport athlete (club hockey) and is able to maintain his
classes, a job and all that is required in his sports as well.
Bio
information
Full name: Timothy
John Garske
Born when and where? March 6, 1990
Tacoma, WA
Year:
Junior
Major: Sports Management
Hometown: Federal Way,
WA
High
School: John F. Kennedy
Catholic
Sport(s) and
position(s): Golf, Hockey
Center, Lacrosse LSM
Favorites
Song: Right now its
Savior by Rise Against
Professional
Sports
Team: Boston Red
Sox
Athlete: Ken Griffey
Jr.
Food: Nanny's
Sheppard’s pie and cream chip beef
T.V. Show(s): Sports Center,
Friday Night Lights; anything on ESPN or NESN.
Movie(s): Happy Gilmore,
Miracle, Tin Cup, Slap Shot, Sandlot, Major League, Caddy Shack,
What happens in Vegas, and Friday Night Lights.
Book: Harry Potter
series
FeatureQuestions
Why did you choose Saint Joseph's
College?
It was always my dream to go to school in Maine and I was
looking at a few other options in Maine as well as Saint Joseph's,
and when I came out to visit schools there was no other school that
compared. The small class sizes, beautiful campus, home-like
atmosphere, opportunity to play varsity sports. You can’t
beat that. I would also like to thank Coach Sanicola - I might not
be here today if it wasn’t for him taking the time to
introduce himself to me and my grandfather and speak to us about
St. Joes.
How did you end up at a college in Maine from
Federal Way, Washington?
My grandfather grew up in Old Orchard Beach and graduated from
Cheverus and Maine Maritime Academy. He lives in Washington now but
we still have lots of family out here, I grew up coming to OOB
every summer for vacation and sometimes staying out here for months
at a time. I have always loved Maine and considered it my second
home and when it came to choosing colleges it wasn't a difficult
choice to come to Maine.
What is/was your favorite class at St. Joe's and
why?
All of my Sports Management classes. Lisa Ahearn is a great
teacher and I have learned a lot from her classes that will help me
to be successful in the future.
What was your first job?
Pro Golf Discount. It is golf store chain in the west
coast.
Who would you like to trade places for a day with
and why?
Theo Epstein. I would love to be able to sit at his desk in
Fenway Park and able to call the shots for the Red Sox.
What is on your "Bucket List?"
Play a golf round at the old course at St. Andrews in
Scotland.
Talent you'd most like to have:
Tiger Woods’ golf ability.
What do you drive?
I just got a 99 Jeep Wrangler. I love it, can’t wait to
drive it in the winter
Why did you choose your jersey #?
My dad wore number 4 in all the sports he played from little
league until now in adult leagues. When I was little I wanted to
wear number 4 like my dad and it has stuck with me ever since. My
little sister and brother both wear number 4 as well. We call it
the family number.
What is your most memorable moment as an athlete at
SJC?
Scoring my first goals in hockey and lacrosse and making my
first golf tournament.
What are the challenges of playing multiple sports
in college?
It is very challenging; it is difficult to please everyone at
times and sometimes you can be put in situations where you have to
choose one over the other. It is also hard to keep up with all of
your classes when missing so much time for games, luckily the
teachers at St. Joe's are all very supportive of our athletic teams
and are always there to catch me up on anything that I missed. It
is a privilege to be able to play multiple sports at Saint Joseph's
and be able to represent my institution in competition.
Who has had the greatest impact on your
life?
My mother, she raised me as a single parent sometimes working
2-3 jobs to make sure I had everything I needed. She always pushed
me to do my best, never give up on my dreams, and to never let
anyone tell me I’m not good enough. I love her and I
wouldn’t be the man I am today if it wasn't for her. I love
you mom!
Can you tell us something about you that most people
don't know?
A lot of friends from St. Joe's probably won't believe this but
when I was younger and up until high school I used to be the shy
kid that never really talked to anyone. Now my friends can’t
get me to be quiet
Where do you see yourself in five
years?
I see myself working in either a college athletic department
(hopefully at St. Joe's) or in the front office of a minor or major
league sports team. Hopefully be a proud homeowner who is settled
down and possibly married.
If you could meet anyone (past or present) who would it
be and why?
My great grandmother Esther Crowley-Taylor. She passed away when
I was young and never really had the chance to get to know her too
well. She lived in Old Orchard Beach most her life and from what I
hear from everyone is she was a great person and I would love to
have had a chance to get to know her.
What is your ideal day away from
athletics?
Going to the beach with friends and just relaxing.
Do you plan on playing sports or coaching after you
graduate?
Yes, I would love to coach at either the high school or
collegiate level in hockey, golf, or baseball. And I hope that I
will be able to keep playing the sports I love for as long as body
lets me.
What’s it like to work in the SJC Athletics
Office?
It is great! Everyone in the office treats me like another staff
member and is always there to help if I have a question. I have fun
every day I come to work and look forward to the new tasks I
receive. Once I graduate I would love to stay working with SJC
athletics in some capacity.
What are your personal and team goals for this
season?
For golf is to shoot a round in the 70's and make every
tournament, team goal is to win GNAC's. For lacrosse, it’s to
continue to improve my skills and become a better lacrosse player
and for us to be successful in our first year in the Great
Northeast Athletic Conference.
