5 Quick Questions with Cornell Lacrosse Star, Rob Pannell

This past week, Rob Pannell, a Senior Attack man for the Big Red men’s lacrosse team touched down in Uganda to help coach lacrosse and launch a social entrepreneurship venture with Fields of Growth International. FoG “aims to harness the passion of the lacrosse community into positive social impact through global leadership development, service and growing the game.” 

With project development across a variety of locations including Uganda, Costa Rica and Jamaica, and the recent support from Pannell; it is certainly a very exciting time for the non-profit.

With alumni, including players such Ryan Flanagan, Tom Schreiber, Chad Wiedmaier, Hilary Bowen and Hannah Nielsen, the program that began as a grassroots movement to grow lacrosse has become an international force in global leadership development and social entrepreneurship. More information on the organization can be found on their website and the announcement can be seen here. 

I, myself, was fortunate enough to travel with a group of players to Uganda this summer to help coach the national team and continue on with several community service projects. I am happy to answer any questions about getting involved or donations. I can be reached at rjn64@cornell.edu.

I was fortunate enough to ask Rob a few questions about this upcoming experience and his final season on the field for the Big Red.

Read the interview after the jump.

You have made a full recovery since your devastating injury last season. Can you talk a little bit about what you have been up to this summer and fall and the progress you've made physically with your foot?

At this point, I would say I have made a full recovery since last Spring, but am continuing to rehab my foot weekly and do my part here at home while the team is working hard back up in Ithaca.  This past summer, I started playing out in Vail as well as a tournament in Lake Placid and a summer league on Long Island.  This allowed me to ease back into playing.  This Fall I have been training on my own down on Long Island and recently played in a lacrosse game with Team USA down at the Landon School and in a tournament out in Hawaii.  I am doing my best to keep in shape and keep my skills sharp knowing that the boys are doing their best back on campus.  

How did your connection come about with Fields of Growth? Can you speak about what you are hoping to gain from the trip? 

My connection to Fields of Growth came about from a family whos kids I began to train in lacrosse, the Schietingers, who have participated in Fields of Growth over the year and have become very involved with the program.  They put me in touch with Kevin Dugan and I am every excited about the opportunity!

What are your hopes for the Cornell squad this upcoming season? To what extend have you been involved with the team despite not being on campus this fall?

I have high hopes for the Cornell team this season, but we are going to take it one day at a time.  They had a great Fall Ball tournament this Fall and have been working hard in practice and in the weight room preparing themselves for the season.  We have a great group of experienced seniors and a lot of talent returning all over the field.  I think we will also have more depth than we have had in the past and you will see a lot of players contributing come game day.  I have been keeping in touch with the captains this Fall but I am not allowed to take part in any team activities.  I trust that the captains are doing a great job though and everyone else is doing their job as well.  

What's next for Rob Pannell beyond graduation? 

Still figuring that out but am looking forward to staying every involved within the lacrosse world.

You're obviously psyched to get back on the field and on campus, what's the one non-lacrosse feature of Cornell you're looking forward to getting back to the most?

I cant wait to get back to Ithaca in January and to get back with the team and get playing again.  Aside from lacrosse though I am just looking forward to being back in Ithaca and taking in everything it has to offer.  Cornell and Ithaca has been great to me over the years and I couldn't be more excited for another semester!

From the Booth #4: The Champs Get Their Rings

Photo courtesy of Kellen Urbon

This is the fourth post in a series featuring the Cornell At Bat broadcasting team. These posts will appear throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. For part one of the series, click here. For part two, click here. For part three, click here.

A day to celebrate an amazing achievement.

After last season’s amazing journey and first semester’s classes finally coming to a close, it was time for the Ivy League Champions to get their rings.  For many, it was a chilly Saturday morning like any other, a day to relax after a long week of classes. But for every member of Cornell’s baseball team, it was a special day to remember the great feat they accomplished last season and we were lucky enough to be able to be a part of the celebration.

As the players arrived, including this year’s freshmen and three of last year’s seniors, Schoellkopf’s Hall of Fame Room began to buzz.  Even as an observer, you could feel the camaraderie and the genuine bond that exists between them.  The conversations flowed effortlessly, some even making their way across the room as they tried to chat with those at other tables without getting up.

As we ate brunch, the W.C. Matthews Trophy made its way around the room stopping at each table for a visit.  The trophy was named for William Clarence Matthews in 2006 and honors each year’s Ivy League baseball champion; Matthews was an outstanding African-American athlete in the early 20th century, and a pioneer in both baseball and law.

The ceremony started with a few words from Head Coach Bill Walkenbach, after which began the distribution of rings.  The rings were made by Balfour and personalized with the individual players’ name, number and position.  Distribution began with the members of the Class of 2012 who were able to return to campus to take part in the ceremony.  After receiving their rings, Frank Hager shared some very moving words of wisdom and gratitude with the team; it was a speech that could not be followed.  After the Class of 2012, the rings continued to be distributed by class in chronological order.

After the players received their rings, Coach Walkenbach thanked each one of the coaches and trainers individually as they were given rings of their own.  Once all the rings had been passed out, it was time for the recap video; the video was put together by Alex using pictures from last season provided by the players’ families.  And with that the ceremony ended. Though some were unable to make it, the sense of gratitude for what they do and have done was still very present.  The team has clearly been working hard and is ready to jump into next season and hopefully win the Ivy League Championship Series again.

For more information on Cornell At Bat or if you want to get involved, contact Alex Gimenez email at ajg322@cornell.edu. For previous Cornell At Bat adventures, look here, here, here, here, and here.  

"Like" Cornell At Bat on Facebook!