Gregory R. “Banini” Tarbell, 57, passed away this past Monday. Greg was inducted into the Cobleskill Athletics Hall of Fame in the Inaugural class of 1994. Tarbell was a high school All-American at Lafayette HS in 1978, before enrolling at SUNY Cobleskill. He was a star for Cobleskill’s Championship teams in 1979 and 1980. After transferring to Syracuse, Tarbell set a Syracuse record on 4/10/82 by scoring 9 goals against Bucknell, which still stands today. Greg was Third Team All-American in 1981, and Honorable Mention in 1982 while at Syracuse. He played professionally for the Syracuse Spirit in 1988, and was an original member of the Iroquois National Team.
Greg was also inducted into the Akwesasne Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2010, NJCAA Men’s Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2011. He was one of the original members of the Iroquois National Team. He played in London, England in the World Games. Greg was known in the Lacrosse world as being a great player and one of the hardest shots around.
“Greg Tarbell was one of those players that made an impact on any lacrosse program or team that he played on. Greg was one of those players that helped to sustain and carry on the great winning tradition that began in 1968 under legendary coach Stan Nevins. In addition to his amazing lacrosse skills, Greg was a great teammate and ambassador for the sport of lacrosse.” – Joe Bennett, Class of 1974.
“Right off the bat, you remember what a great player he was. I didn’t think there was anyone who could physically cover him. He was very creative. He had great form. He got his whole body behind it. It was really hard for anyone physically to match up with him. He liked getting into the other defenders. He was like a fullback. If he got a head of steam, forget it.” – Former Syracuse Assistant Lacrosse Coach John Desko
“The SUNY Cobleskill lacrosse family has lost a truly outstanding member. Greg will be remembered as the best player I ever coached. He could do it all and make it look easy. He and all his family were a gift to SUNY Cobleskill.” – Stan Nevins Former Head Lacrosse Coach
“Greg is one of those players that the Cobleskill lacrosse program was built on. He was one of the players developed at the junior college level who upon graduation had an immediate impact to the college they transferred to. Greg was one of the best to have come out of Cobleskill, it’s a sad loss to his family, the lacrosse community and to the Cobleskill community.” – Kevin O’Donnell Class of 1973
“Greg was a good man, good friend, and great teammate. He was a force of nature on the lacrosse field and I was fortunate to have played with him and honored to have known him. He will be missed and may he rest in peace.” – Mike Cooney Class of 1979
“Greg was a great player and teammate at Cobleskill. He made me a better goalie playing against him everyday. We watched him hit the goal post 9 times in a row from the restraining line. He was a big teddy bear but didn’t want anyone to know that. He will be greatly missed. Peace.” – Tom Menten Class of 1979
https://fightingtigers.cobleskill.edu/news/2018/1/25/mens-lacrosse-former-fighting-tiger-and-hall-of-famer-greg-tarbell-passes.aspx?path=mlax
