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!