Friday May 14th, 2021 2:45pm
On Sunday in College Park, Md., Jake, Jesse and Jared Bernhardt will all be wearing the same dented ring.
It’s engraved with “JB” for their dad Jimmy Bernhardt. The dents and the divots, the engraving, it’s there, two more copies molded for Jesse and Jared from dad’s original ring that Jake now wears. It’s a reminder of their late father and a Christmas gift from their mom, Catherine.
“I know their dad’s looking down on them from a different place. The boys all know he’s there,” Catherine says. “They all have his ring that he wore. They know that their dad is always with them.”
Brecht spoke just days after stepping into his office for the first time.
“The set-up here is outstanding. I could not be happier,” Brecht said. “You talk about things and look at things on paper, but when you can walk in and sit back and take it all in, the opportunity that these guys have, it’s unbelievable. There haven’t been a lot of positives in 2020 at Rutgers, but this was one.”
As much as things feel new for the members of Rutgers lacrosse, with a few notable transfers and a fresh athletic facility, the stars of this roster provide a glimpse at the history of a program that still aims to break into the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2004.