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Gurbuz reverses field, opting to play college football
By Zachary Braziller June 23, 2009
Bayside quarterback Damir Dukanovic and Gurbuz may play together at ASA College in Brooklyn.
BROOKVILLE, L.I. -- For many, the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge is a way to impress prospective college coaches.
Not for Onur Gurbuz.
The versatile 5-foot-9 Bayside star, who played middle linebacker, slot receiver and punter for the Commodores, was going to use it as his heartfelt goodbye to tackle football. Then workouts began and he nearly made the starting lineup.
“These eight days of practice got me more hyped about football,” he said on the eve of the 11th annual all-star game. “Football is like a second family you have. The little things made me want to keep playing. I have the passion for it. I just can’t give up on the game.”
Nor his longtime teammate, Damir Dukanovic, one of three NYC quarterbacks. The two will visit ASA College, a new Division I junior college in downtown Brooklyn, on Wednesday and could join the new program then if all goes well.
“Long story short, I think I’m going to play for ASA,” he said. Two weeks ago, after receiving their yearbooks, the two each wrote virtually the same passage – that this isn’t goodbye; they had one more football game left together. “We’re always on the same page. I was like, you know what, why not give it a shot?”
Gurbuz, who played soccer growing up before picking up football at Bayside his sophomore season, grew tired of the sport after a first-round loss to Sheepshead Bay. He was admitted to Queens College, where he planned to study physical therapy. He could’ve went to Nassau Community College, noted for its football program, but wasn’t in love with the run-based system. He wanted to stay local, so Division II American International College in Springfield, Mass., another school that showed interest, was out of the question, too.
Even before the Empire Challenge, there were those in his ear, from Dukanovic to friends who wouldn’t know the difference between pigskin and leopard skin, telling him not to give it up. St. Francis Prep defensive lineman Richard Volini, a close friend, echoed that sentiment on the ride out to C.W. Post for practice every day.
Everybody was saying the same thing – why quit something he was so good at?
Gurbuz excelled for the Commodores, leading them back to the playoffs with a brilliant senior season. He broke the proud program’s single-season records for most tackles for losses (36), most receptions (49), most touchdowns (12) and most receiving yards (789). He combined with Dukanovic to form one of the city’s top quarterback-receiver duos.
“It’s like playing with your brother,” Dukanovic said. “I wouldn’t be here without him and he would say the same thing about me.”
That the two will be playing side by side in the Empire Challenge holds great importance to Gurbuz. He recalled one particularly poignant summer afternoon between their sophomore and junior years. All-city center Andre Fitzgerald, who had played in the Empire Challenge that year, watched them throwing to one another at Bayside Athletic Field. He said they could be in the game one day if the two of them worked hard enough.
They looked at each other and laughed the scenario was so farfetched. Now, it’s reality.
“It’s pretty cool,” Gurbuz said. “I never thought it would happen.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com
Not for Onur Gurbuz.
The versatile 5-foot-9 Bayside star, who played middle linebacker, slot receiver and punter for the Commodores, was going to use it as his heartfelt goodbye to tackle football. Then workouts began and he nearly made the starting lineup.
“These eight days of practice got me more hyped about football,” he said on the eve of the 11th annual all-star game. “Football is like a second family you have. The little things made me want to keep playing. I have the passion for it. I just can’t give up on the game.”
Nor his longtime teammate, Damir Dukanovic, one of three NYC quarterbacks. The two will visit ASA College, a new Division I junior college in downtown Brooklyn, on Wednesday and could join the new program then if all goes well.
“Long story short, I think I’m going to play for ASA,” he said. Two weeks ago, after receiving their yearbooks, the two each wrote virtually the same passage – that this isn’t goodbye; they had one more football game left together. “We’re always on the same page. I was like, you know what, why not give it a shot?”
Gurbuz, who played soccer growing up before picking up football at Bayside his sophomore season, grew tired of the sport after a first-round loss to Sheepshead Bay. He was admitted to Queens College, where he planned to study physical therapy. He could’ve went to Nassau Community College, noted for its football program, but wasn’t in love with the run-based system. He wanted to stay local, so Division II American International College in Springfield, Mass., another school that showed interest, was out of the question, too.
Even before the Empire Challenge, there were those in his ear, from Dukanovic to friends who wouldn’t know the difference between pigskin and leopard skin, telling him not to give it up. St. Francis Prep defensive lineman Richard Volini, a close friend, echoed that sentiment on the ride out to C.W. Post for practice every day.
Everybody was saying the same thing – why quit something he was so good at?
Gurbuz excelled for the Commodores, leading them back to the playoffs with a brilliant senior season. He broke the proud program’s single-season records for most tackles for losses (36), most receptions (49), most touchdowns (12) and most receiving yards (789). He combined with Dukanovic to form one of the city’s top quarterback-receiver duos.
“It’s like playing with your brother,” Dukanovic said. “I wouldn’t be here without him and he would say the same thing about me.”
That the two will be playing side by side in the Empire Challenge holds great importance to Gurbuz. He recalled one particularly poignant summer afternoon between their sophomore and junior years. All-city center Andre Fitzgerald, who had played in the Empire Challenge that year, watched them throwing to one another at Bayside Athletic Field. He said they could be in the game one day if the two of them worked hard enough.
They looked at each other and laughed the scenario was so farfetched. Now, it’s reality.
“It’s pretty cool,” Gurbuz said. “I never thought it would happen.”
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com