St. Bonaventure

Rob Vartughian produced a career both as a student-athlete and a professional that puts him in rare company in Bona history.

A four-year goalkeeper for the Bonnies, he was key to one of the best stretches in program history. He was in net for three seasons of 10 or more wins including a 25-18-1 mark in Atlantic 10 play. From 1997-99, his Bonnies produced a mark of 32-22-1 overall including 22-11 in conference matches.

He graduated as the school's leader in goals against average (1.71), a tally that stood second as of his induction in 2024. He ranked third in Bona career wins as well. 

In his freshman season of 1996, Vartughian recorded 100 saves and appeared ready for a breakout campaign in 1997 when he went 2-1 with a 1.15 goals against average (GAA) and a shutout through four games before an injury derailed his season. He returned in 1998, logging a school-record eight shutouts while playing 1,578 of 1,589 possible minutes in net with a .671 save percentage and 1.60 GAA.

He was also in net and recorded a clean sheet for one of the program's best-ever victories, scoring the win at North Carolina, 1-0, in 1998. In his senior season of 1999, the Bonnies posted their best record as an Atlantic 10 program, going 8-4 in conference, a school record that still stands. 

During the 1999 campaign, he started all 20 games with a 1.87 GAA, 114 saves and four shutouts including a sparkling 1.24 GAA in A-10 play. He was named A-10 Player of the Week twice and also earned a spot on the 1999 A-10 Championship All-Tournament Team as well as the All-Academic Team.

After graduation, he would go on to a professional coaching career – one that has taken him to the highest levels of the sport.

He got his coaching start on staff at the University of Pennsylvania and Maryland before joining the pro ranks with the Philadelphia Union of the MLS. He was an assistant coach there before becoming technical director during his five seasons in Philadelphia.

Vartughian moved to New York City FC for its inaugural season of 2015 where he has helped build a championship-level program as an assistant coach. In 2021, NYCFC captured the first MLS Cup crown in team history with Vartughian on staff as he joined an elite list of Bonnies to earn championship gold at the professional level of any sport, and first in MLS. NYCFC again reached the conference finals in 2022. He has also worked as a goalkeepers coach and scout for the U.S. Men's National Under-15 to Under-23 teams and continues work on the NYCFC coaching staff.