By: Scott Eddy, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications
A pair of St. Bonaventure men's lacrosse alums have earned spots on the 2022-23 Georgia Swarm National Lacrosse League roster following the completion of training camps as Brett Beetow and Brett Dobson are set to make their NLL debuts.
"I am so proud of Brett Dobson and Brett Beetow. I recruited them to St. Bonaventure to help put our men's lacrosse program on the national lacrosse map and they certainly did that," St. Bonaventure head coach Randy Mearns said. "I knew going in that they both had some very high-end goals and dreams of playing professionally and I absolutely wanted to nurture that vision.  Through their hard work, dedication and passion along with the support of my staff, their teammates and everyone involved in the Bonnies men's lacrosse program, they are now living those dreams.  As a coach and mentor, it doesn't get any better then that.  It's a great day in Bonnie Nation!"
Dobson was the 11th overall selection in this year's NLL Draft by the Swarm, marking the second time he was drafted in the first round of a pro draft after playing for the Archers Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League this summer. He was the highest goalie selected in the NLL Draft since Dillon Ward went No. 3 overall in 2013.
A consensus All-American pick last year, Dobson finished his four-year Bonnies career by leading the nation in save percentage for the second year in a row. He earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades and made 569 saves in 41 career collegiate games with a .601 save percentage. A rising star on the international scene as well, the Canadian native helped Team Canada to the gold medal this summer at The World Games sixes tournament.Â
Dobson ranked second nationally as a senior in saves per game (16.8) and fifth in goals against average (8.95). He earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades a whopping seven times last year and turned away 17 or more shots 10 times including 20 or more saves four times. He wrapped his career by setting a new school record for single-game saves with 27 in the MAAC semifinals. He also ranks top-10 in MAAC history for career saves.
Beetow was selected in the third round of the NLL Draft, No. 58 overall by the Swarm.
A three-year member of the Bonnies after transferring from Tampa, he saw action in 31 games while netting 12 goals with 10 assists from the midfield.
Along the way he turned in some memorable moments – Beetow scored the game-winner in Bona's first-ever home win during the 2021 campaign against Manhattan, finding the net in the waning seconds. He also recorded a goal and an assist in the program's first postseason win vs. Detroit Mercy later that spring. In his final collegiate game, he tallied a hat trick in the MAAC Championship Game last May.
The Swarm start their season schedule Dec. 3 at home vs. Rochester. Beetow and Dobson will become the first Bonnies alums to be active for an NLL game. The 18-game regular season runs weekends through April.
The two former Bonnies will wear No. 39 (Dobson) and No. 40 (Beetow) respectively for the Swarm.Â
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