Flagman

[Chuck]

Rex the person we know as Flagman has Parkinson and had a stroke. He has difficulty leaving his house. Rex stated "I would like to let people know I'm sill alive." I spoke with his wife about posting about him on the Bandwagon. She enthusiastically agreed and said "Rex would really enjoy reading these comments. It would lift his spirits." I'm going to visit Rex next week (probably Thursday) and share this thread with Rex and his wife. He really enjoys reminiscing about the Bonnies. I'm hopeful for a lot of posts to share with Rex.

Anyone who would like to see or talk with Rex can send me a personal message.

[123Rob]

Be well, Rex!

Chuck-Could Rex and his wife be helped by a ramp (or other service) from BonaResponds. Maybe Jim Mahar has already reached out? Just a thought.

[xianguitarist]

My prayers to Rex. His celebratory flags are a wonderful part of Bonnie basketball lore!

[Copenhagen]

Best wishes to Flagman. When I came back to visit & see my first Bonnies games in many many years I introduced myself to him & invited me to the seat next to him as he knew of Cope from the BW. He was so welcoming, friendly & gracious & even coaxed me to take some turns holding up the flags .... at first I was reluctant as I told him there was only one Flagman but after awhile I did take a few turns & it was a blast ..... then one of my last visits he wasn’t there and another in the section told me his health was preventing him from coming.

Chuck, please give him & his wife my best & let him know how much I enjoyed sitting next to him those 4-5 games & how much I missed him the last couple I attended. I’m back in Copenhagen 🇩🇰 after 8 years living/working in NYC & think of him whenever one of our international Bonnie’s makes a bucket.

[nyc02]

Ever since I attended my first Bona game I remember Rex and his flags.

My continued prayers will be with you Rex as you battle Parkinson.

Go Bonas!

[fjs64]

I have never had the privilege of meeting flagman, but people I know and respect say what a terrific person he is. My prayers are with him, and clearly the RC will be a poorer place without him.

[Padre Jud]

Rex, it was always fun seeing you with the flags as I held up my punny signs. God bless you! You'll be in my prayers today.

[ceharv]

Flagman, please accept some unsolicited advice from another stroke victim/survivor(since 2011, so that’s ten years for an event that had a less-then 50 per cent one year survivorship rate). You are probably starting or about to start with a rehab program. They will have you performing mind-numbing and simplistic repetitious exercises that will tempt you to quit or put a less then best effort into completing. My advice - do them over and over and as much as possible, put your full effort into each one of those stupid repetitions. IT WILL PAY OFF. And the sooner you get them finished the better. If your stroke is anything like mine, realize the “muscle memory” you spent decades unknowingly developing has likely been wiped clean. Things like brushing your teeth, buttoning shirts, even aiming where to pee ( sorry everyone) have to be relearned and reprogrammed into your brain. You may not see the connection between those kind of things and what they having you do, but trust that there is. Just stay focused on completing each task they ask of you. Think of it as practicing free throws. You are working on re-developing a repeatable pattern that will serve you well as you go on. Good luck and fight on!

[Dunga]

Rex,

You have been such an integral part of the Reilly Center experience. I hope to see you again on the sidelines in whatever capacity raising your flags. We need you more than ever with all these new international players. Every good wish!

intrepidsbu.com/2011/05/28/behind-the-wolfpack-flag-man-is-the-reilly-center/

Behind the Wolfpack: Flag Man is The Reilly Center

By Ryan Lazo, feature columnist, rmlazo13

Junior forward Andrew Nicholson takes a pass in the post, spins under the basket and makes a thunderous dunk. As PA announcer Adam Bennett screams “An-drew Nic-hol-son!” a thin, balding, bespectacled man rises at midcourt and waves a Canadian flag in tribute to the 6-foot-9 power forward from Mississauga, Ontario.

Rex “Flag Man” Marvin has been a fixture inside St. Bonaventure’s Reilly Center since he was a schoolboy and the Bonnies were riding the back of future NBA Hall of Famer Bob Lanier to the Final Four.

That was in 1969, but the flags didn’t come out till 30 years later. During the last 12 years Marvin has waved the flag of every foreign-born player that’s ever filled the Bonnies roster.

Sit inside the Reilly Center and you’ll think you’re inside the United Nations. Besides unfurling the Canadian flag with its 11-pointed red maple leaf in honor of Nicholson, this season Marvin also has unfurled the Union Jack in tribute to Great Britain’s Ogo Adegboye, and the red-white-and-blue bars of the Netherlands’ Sam de Haas.

He said holding the flags of the players respective country is special.



[Rex Marvin, aka Flag Man, holds up a Canadian flag after Canadian-native Andrew Nicholson scores a basket at The Reilly Center – Image courtesy of GoBonnies.com]

“The players always smile when they see their flag,” he said. “It makes them feel special, and in return makes me happy to brighten their day.”

Freshman guard Matthew Wright noticed Marvin immediately because of the flags.

“I thought it was a refreshing and distinctive way to cheer for the team,” he said. “I am honored that he waves the flag every time I score. He is the epitome of a Bonnies’ fan.”

Marvin and his wife have hosted foreign exchange students for the past 15 years, and in 1999 their exchange student became friends with an Argentine player named Patricio Prato. The 6-foot-5 guard played an integral role in the Bonnies last NCAA tournament appearance in 2000, where they fell to Kentucky in overtime.

“We invited him over for dinner one night, and we had gotten to know him real well,” he said. “I kidded him about his roommate waving the Argentina flag for him at games, so I began doing the same. It has escalated from there.”

St. Bonaventure has given Marvin a chance to wave flags from all over the world, with the host of nationalities of the players. He has waved Russian, Nigerian, Canadian, Holland, Australian and English flags.

(click to read more)

[Chuck]

Without question I’ve never seen a fan get more attention and love from the players than Rex. He is a fan who didn’t need to greet a player or initiate a conversation. Whenever I’ve walked with Rex a player will stop what they are doing and immediately start talking with Rex. A common greeting is “there is my main man Rex.” He is Flagman to us, but Rex to the players.

I'm very thankful for the posts. Rex and his wife are going to enjoy these posts.

[MM77]

In my prayers for full recovery Flagman, you exude the Bonaventure spirit.

[res]

Sexy Rexy, I hope you don't mind me revealing your nickname from decades ago. I miss seeing you at the RC (mostly from my television screen) and often think of the days spent in your backyard when we were kids. You guys always were able to acquire the best illegal fireworks. We had some close calls, but no one lost a finger or worse that I can remember. Long before the internet, you and/or Carl would find the most interesting and dangerous ways to pass time. I fondly remember making hydrogen gas, though I didn't realize at the time that's what we were doing, filling latex balloons with the product, attaching a tail, lighting, and releasing. IIRC, we released some from the roof of my house. I think Jane Meermans actually made a UFO report over some that we released just after dusk. Despite all that, the worst thing that ever happened to me in the Marvin yard was when Brian McLean (at least I think it was Brian), the oldest son of the late, great Don McLean, took a backswing with a 3 iron and opened up my forehead.

I know you probably won't be unfurling flags in the RC in the future, but, still, if you need any for your collection, I'd be happy to pick some up and get them to you. Hang in there, my friend.

[wgt]

Prayers are with Rex and his wife as they cope with the challenges ahead. I was honored to meet Rex at a game about 10 years ago and value the photo taken with him.

Thanks Chuck for posting and sharing news on Rex's condition. I remember you driving him to some games a couple of years ago.

All the best to Rex who symbolizes how truly special the Bona family is.

[bonaballa1]

Sad to hear this. With the influx of international talent on the team, i thought of the flagman. It would be cool if someone carried on his tradition.

[CoachSBU]

Get well soon, Flagman!! Bona Nation needs you!!! Thanks for all your years of dedication!!! God Bless!!! CoachSBU