Climbing for a Heartfelt Cause
On June 17, 2014, just a few days before the first day of summer and just a month after completing his sophomore year at Norwich University, student-athlete Connor Roberts suffered a fatal heart attack. He was young and, by all appearances, healthy, at the prime of his life. His heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, went undetected until his untimely death.
Connor possessed a contagious passion for sports and life and was known as one who brought people together. In his family, he was also on the Norwich side of a sports rivalry, with brother, Ben, playing men’s hockey and lacrosse for Castleton University, and his sister, Danielle, playing for Castleton women’s hockey. After Connor’s death, the student-athletes of the two universities decided to redefine their rivalry and come together in his memory for a common cause.
Thus was born Climb for Connor, a 24-hour, nonstop rock-wall climb. For the past five years, the men’s lacrosse teams of Norwich and Castleton have collaborated on this climb in honor of Connor’s memory and to support the Connor Roberts Memorial Fund, established by his family.
On February 9-10, the Norwich University men’s lacrosse team hosted the Fifth Annual Climb for Connor. Starting at noon and ending at noon the following day, this fundraising climbathon required the efforts of many to keep it going for a constant 24 hours. No climbing experience necessary—all equipment was provided.
Location: Shapiro Field House Hurley Rock Wall
Time: Noon to Noon, February 9-10, 2019
Would you like to participate in Climb for Connor? The 2019 climb has passed, but if you would like more information, please contact head men’s lacrosse coach This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or assistant men’s lacrosse coach This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We thank everyone from the greater Norwich community who came out and climbed, cheered on participants, and experienced how Connor is still bringing people together.
