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Rockhurst University Athletics

Connor Bateman attacks
Doug Schveninger

Men's Lacrosse

RU’s Bateman excelled on the lacrosse field and in the classroom

Connor Bateman was instrumental in leading the Hawks to a 44-13 record over the past four seasons.
Head coach Kevin Kelley of the Rockhurst men's lacrosse team cannot say enough superlatives about senior defender and team co-captain Connor Bateman.
 
"Connor is hands down one of the hardest working, driven players I've ever coached at any level," Kelley said. "He's a terrific person off the field, who is so unbelievably genuine. However, when he gets on the field, he transforms into a player that will not only outwork you, but he will run over you if has to get to his goal."
 
Bateman was instrumental in leading the Hawks to a 44-13 record over the past four seasons. The Apple Valley, Minnesota native was a three-time first team All-Conference honoree (twice in the RMAC and last year in the GLVC). He was also named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018.
 
"As a senior it made me incredibly proud to see the strides that the entire program has made," Bateman said. "I'm sad that I didn't get to finish the season with the guys, but I'm excited to see what they will accomplish down the road using that type of mentality and culture."
 
Before his senior season was cut short due to the coronavirus outbreak, Bateman had accumulated 168 ground balls, 91 caused turnovers and 29 faceoff wins at Rockhurst. He also scored 12 points on seven goals and five assists (impressive numbers for a defender).
 
"He's the most coachable player I've ever had," Kelley said. "Connor would do anything asked of him, no questions asked. And he would do it at 100 miles per hour."
 
Bateman's favorite memory of his career came earlier this year at home against the nationally-ranked Lynn Knights.
 
"We fell behind 4-1 pretty quickly into the game, but as a team we were unfazed," Bateman said. "Instead of freaking out and imploding we picked ourselves up and started working to get out of the hole. Once we started rolling there was no stopping us."
 
Rockhurst went on to win the game 14-9 to remain undefeated at 5-0. The 16th-ranked Hawks split its final two games in Colorado to finish the shortened season with a 6-1 record.
 
Not only did Bateman excel on the lacrosse field, but he has been one of the top student-athletes on the team. He is majoring in biochemistry and sports a 3.9 grade point average. He was a third team Academic All-American in 2018.
 
"Balancing my schoolwork with lacrosse wasn't easy at first," said Bateman, who will attend the Loyola Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in the fall. "During my freshman year I struggled to come up with a system that allowed me time to do my homework and the things I needed to do to prepare for lacrosse.
 
"Eventually I developed a routine that a few friends and myself would do daily. Using the support of my friends and the constant routine balancing, school became much easier."
 
Bateman was featured as the GLVC Men's Lacrosse Student-Athlete of the Week on Thursday (click on link for story).

"He's the example of how you want a player and person to be. If Connor played at Syracuse, at Virginia, at Loyola...he would have ended up being a starter. No doubt in my mind. I'll definitely miss him," added Kelley.
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Players Mentioned

Connor Bateman

#19 Connor Bateman

D
6' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Connor Bateman

#19 Connor Bateman

6' 0"
Senior
D