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.
In 2020, the Norwich and Castleton men’s lacrosse teams will work together to complete 12 hours of continuous climbing between the two teams. This means as soon as a climber reaches the top, another climber will already be climbing. This emphasis on teamwork, leadership, and being a bridge builder exemplify who Connor was, and the legacy he leaves behind. Both teams will be climbing from noon to midnight on February 1, 2020. All climbers are welcome, no climbing experience necessary—all equipment is provided.
Location: Shapiro Field House Hurley Rock Wall
Time: Noon to Midnight, February 1, 2020
Would you like to participate in Climb for Connor? Please contact head men’s lacrosse coach This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or associate head men’s lacrosse coach This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We would like to give a special thanks to Ben Lavoie and Norwich University’s Mountain Cold Weather. Without their guidance, training, equipment, and great effort this event would not be possible.
