ROCKLIN, Calif. – With each fall comes the start of a new year in collegiate athletics. So as July wraps up, soon enough, student-athletes will begin stepping foot on campus as they prepare for the upcoming fall seasons.
 
This time of the year brings back memories to all of the former Warriors who called the fall their season of competition. In part two of our Alumni Series, we caught up with four alums from the Men's Soccer program to see where life has taken them since their time at Jessup ended and how their time at Jessup is still playing a role in what they do.
 
It's unknown what formation head coach Greg Lazaga will line his team up in come opening day, but for this piece, we have assembled each level of a soccer formation. From a starting forward all the way back to the goalkeeper, we checked in with four Warriors to see where life has taken them.
 
CHRISTIAN FILBRUN | DF | YEARS WITH JESSUP: 2014 – 2017
 
Since earning his degree in History in the spring of 2017, Christian Filbrun has yet to press pause on education. The former outside back for the Warriors has been working hard in the classroom, earning his Master's Degree before beginning work on his Ph.D. But it hasn't been all hard work for Christian since he left Jessup. We checked in with him to find out how life has been treating him over these last five years.
 
Christian, you have been hard at work in the classroom since you graduated from Jessup. Can you tell us a little about what you have been up to since you graduated in 2017?
 
CF: "Yes! I received my M. A. in History from CSU Stanislaus in the spring of 2020. I am now starting my third year of a Ph.D. program at the University of Nevada, Reno. I am on schedule to finish in the spring of 2025. At UNR, I am getting a doctorate in history and primarily focus on the environmental politics of Nevada and the U.S. West in the late 20th-Century."
 
That is incredible news! We will take note to announce you as Dr. Filbrun at future Jessup Alumni events. Do you think your time with the Warriors helped prepare you for the education you've taken on post-graduation?
 
CF: "I think that my experience as a student-athlete at Jessup helped with some of the soft skills such as hard work and setting goals that are important things to have as a graduate student, in academia, and as a researcher. In my current role, I conduct research on former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's political papers. I am one of the very few researchers who have early access to this currently closed archival collection. It is immense in size and holds a lot of political documents which shed light on a variety of topics."
 
Soccer played a prominent role during your time at Jessup. We would love to know some of your favorite memories, but I think Jessup fans would also like to know what else you have been up to in your personal life.
 
CF: "My senior year was our most exciting season. We were very competitive, even receiving votes at one point. That team was a lot of fun to play on. But since I graduated, I have been hard at work, working on my M. A. and Ph.D. I also got married to my wife Natalie in August of 2020. We are now living up here in the Reno area."
 
MARK BONDARUK | FW | YEARS WITH JESSUP: 2010 – 2014
 
After a four-year career with the Warriors that saw action in 55 games, forward Mark Bondaruk wrapped up his Jessup career when he received his degree in History in 2014. On the field, Bondaruk scored 9 goals and dished out 5 assists, but off the field, this former Warrior has continued his education and is making a career working at the university level.
 
Well, Mark, it looks like you couldn't get away from college once you left Jessup. So what have you been up to these last eight years?
 
MB: "After I graduated from Jessup, I went on to receive my Master of Divinity from Baylor University. Now I am working for Northern Arizona University as a Pre-Award Research Administrator. My job is to assist our faculty, department, and researchers in the grant proposal process and review."
 
It's great to hear that you continued your education with Baylor. Now that you're with Northern Arizona University, can you think of any ways your time on the field with the Warriors helped with what you do today?
 
MB: "Yeah, playing soccer at Jessup definitely gave me the ability to work as a team with people from different backgrounds and in different situations. I think that helps in any area of life. Relationships and building trust with people are very important. I would encourage the current group of Warriors to make sure you take time to build relationships with your teammates, classmates, and faculty.
 
You played in some of the biggest games in Jessup Men's Soccer history. For those who are not familiar with the teams you played on, can you share what some of your best memories were?
 
MB: "In my final home game at Jessup, we defeated Menlo in overtime to advance to the Cal Pac Tournament in Prescott, Arizona. It was one of the most exciting games of my life. That game definitely sticks out, but on top of that, the bus rides were always some of my favorite moments with the team."
 
RYAN BALBI | MF | YEARS WITH JESSUP: 2007 – 2010
 
From the class of 2010 comes midfielder Ryan Balbi. A Business major during his time at Jessup, Balbi played three seasons for the Warriors and called himself a "self-proclaimed all-American" during that time. We'll have to ask him the story behind that one day. Balbi is a family man now, married with three kids, but he has never forgotten his time on the field at Jessup.
 
Ryan, can you believe it's been twelve years since you stepped on the field with the Warriors? Now you're leading a different team. Tell us about that.
 
RB: "I've been married to my wife, Katie, for 12 years! We have three kids together: Abigail (9), Landon (7), and Bennett (4)."
 
We know that you called yourself "self-proclaimed All-American" during your career. We love the confidence, but can you tell us more about your playing time with the Warriors?
 
RB: "I ended up playing three seasons at Jessup. Playing soccer at Jessup was one of the most enjoyable times of my life, and it taught me the importance of teamwork and how to work hard for the things you care about. I scored two goals and had four assists in my career, but I would have to say my favorite memories were when we ended Holy Names' 48-game conference unbeaten streak in my last game, and of course, every time we beat Simpson was great too. That time on the field with my teammates created a community which is still incredibly important to me."
 
Where has life taken, Ryan Balbi, since you hung up the cleats?
 
RB: "Currently, I am the Interim Teaching Pastor at Christ Community Church, and I am finally starting a master's program at Gordon-Conwell. With my job, I am preaching weekly for our church."
 
ROBERT HARMELINK | GK | YEARS WITH JESSUP: 2014 – 2018
 
Appearing in 29 games as the goaltender for the Warriors is Robert Harmelink. Harmelink's ties to the Jessup Men's Soccer program run deep, as he is not only a former player but a former coach as well. After receiving his degree in Psychology, Harmelink stayed on board as an assistant coach for the Warriors in 2019. Let's check in on where the former Warrior is now.
 
Robbie, since you wrapped up your time at Jessup, you experienced a big life transition. What are you up to now?
 
RH: "Well, right now, I am living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with my wife, Hannah. She is also a Jessup graduate, earning her degree in Youth Ministry. We got married in 2019 and are now living in Idaho, which is where Hannah grew up. I currently work three jobs as a Youth Director with Hannah at our church, helping adults with disabilities and coaching soccer."
 
Three jobs. Wow, it looks like Idaho is keeping you busy. We would love to know more about what you are doing and how Jessup helped prepare you for this stage of life.
 
RH: "My time at Jessup definitely helped in my current roles. At the church, Hannah and I split the job 50/50. Our job is to walk alongside the youth at our church and help them grow in their relationship with Christ and develop their own identity with Him. We believe in following the route of Loving God and Loving Others. And as a Targeted Service Coordinator, I work with adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities with usually mental health co-diagnosis. My job is to assist these adults in accessing services provided by the world to help them accomplish their goals. It can be goals such as learning basic living skills, pursuing employment, obtaining counseling services, etc. My job is to work alongside the desires of these clients and help them work towards them and live their best lives, the lives they've always wanted."
 
And you mentioned you are still involved with the game of soccer; Jessup fans will be excited to hear that! How are your goalkeeper skills now that you're a few years removed from your playing days?
 
RH: "Well, right now, I am a goalkeeper coach with another local youth pastor here in the area. My job is not only to mentor, assist, and train our goalkeepers but help our entire team succeed on the field and in the classroom. Hopefully, we can point them to success post high school. But I am still playing. I'm a goalkeeper in a local Sunday League. It's my first Sunday League in about three years. My keeper skills are still there, but I'm not quite in the same fitness shape as I was at Jessup when we were practicing every day."
 
These four student-athletes will forever be tied to Jessup Athletics by what they did on the field, but what they have continued to do off the field continues to showcase their ties to Jessup. Whether through their education, their work in the community, or the game of soccer, these four alums have followed through on the mission statement of Jessup, which is "to educate transformational leaders for the glory of God."
 
If you are a former Jessup student-athlete and would like to share what you have been up to since your playing time at Jessup has ended, reach out to Sports Information Director Matthew Horrocks at mshorrocks@jessup.edu.
 
We look forward to continuing these conversations next month with those student-athletes who paved the way for the current class of Warriors.
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).