The sudden death of Glenbrook North boys water polo coach Mark Rebora on March 18 left those associated with the program struggling to process what transpired.
“It’s obviously been very upsetting and something that’s been hard on everyone,” junior Ilian Farbman said. “But the first day back at practice, we decided we wanted to continue on with the season, like things would have been with him there. It gives us a chance to remember him.”
A physical education teacher at the school since 1992 and the boys water polo head coach since 2002, Rebora was an outspoken advocate for staying physically fit. That made his death during a Sunday afternoon bike ride even more vexing. He suffered a heart attack on the ride, according to an email from Glenbrook North Principal John Finan to parents.
“He was a tough man, which translated well to (water) polo,” said Bud Mathieu, Rebora’s longtime assistant and the team’s new head coach. “It’s a hard game to play but he always led the players well.”
The toughness that Rebora preached still sticks with senior defender Danny Ogranovich. He recalled being beaten by a Maine East player in Glenbrook North’s first-round match in the 2017 playoffs. Ogranovich said he told Rebora he didn’t feel he could continue playing.
Rebora, a Loyola Academy graduate who taught and coached at his alma mater prior to starting at Glenbrook North, acknowledged it was a difficult situation. But he reassured Ogranovich he could handle the assignment. Ogranovich said he dug deeper than he thought he could, and the Spartans went on to win the match.
“Beyond the actual skills aspect of water polo, Coach, more than anyone I know, taught me how to push through hardship,” Ogranovich said. “He also taught me that an excuse, no matter how small, is still an excuse. After his passing, we’ve been telling ourselves, ‘no excuses.’ That sums up everything he taught us.”
The Spartans have played well since Rebora’s death.
Playing before a boisterous home crowd, Glenbrook North lost 9-6 to Evanston on March 20, which was just two days after Rebora’s death and four days after the Wildkits had beaten the Spartans 15-3 in a tournament. Glenbrook North then strung together wins over Libertyville and Lane. Farbman scored four goals in the 10-7 home victory over Lane on Thursday.
Ogranovich said the Spartans have become a closer-knit group in the wake of Rebora’s death.
“When we lost that leadership, one of the ways we’ve coped is by looking to each other for our own leadership,” Ogranovich said. “I feel as a team, we’re more cohesive.”
Wins are nice, but Glenbrook North athletic director John Catalano is more heartened by the way the team’s student-athletes are coping with the tragedy.
“The kids are pretty resilient; they’re doing as well as they can,” Catalano said. “But there’s no handbook for getting through something like this.”
A celebration of Rebora’s life will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday at the school. The event will feature a handful of speakers, a performance from the school’s chorus, a video presentation and a reception afterward.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
