Celebration of Life: Alex Mongeau, breaks hand during rugby, but he plays on

by Ian Melewski

The smell of lysol, and something not so pleasant that the lysol was trying to hide pierced the nostrils of anyone waiting to be checked in. His leg shook, but his face did not show any sign of worry. 

“I’m sorry to put you out like this” Alex said to me with a weak grin on his face “the doctor will tell me it’s a bruise, hand me some meds, and we’ll be outta here”.

Alex snapped his neck towards the opening door, as a nurse emerged from the back room of the ER.

“Alex Mongeau” she said and Alex stood up favoring his right hand. Since the ride over from campus, his thumb has gotten more swollen. 

On the last kick off of practice the 6’3” 300 pound Forward picked up on the ball on one bounce. Though he only moved with a light jog it was all he needed. Two small players attempted an arm tackle, but the forward continued on. 

Alex met him head on wrapping around his legs. It was enough to stop him but not enough to bring him down, two more needed to assist. Out of breath, and knowing there was no point to try, the forward tumbled over backwards firmly on top Alex’s hand, which was pinned for a minute. 

Alex emerged from the back room 30 minutes later with a cast on his right hand, and in more pain than before. 

“Thumb is broken in two different places” Alex said with a smile. “Just another day”.