On February 1st, the Norwich University and Castleton University men's lacrosse teams will once again collaborate in the sixth annual Climb for Connor event.

Climb for Connor was established in 2015 in memory of Connor Roberts, a Norwich lacrosse player who passed away from a sudden heart attack in June 2014 following his sophomore year. Roberts' ties to Castleton are strong, as his brother Ben played lacrosse and hockey at Castleton before graduating in 2014 and his sister Danielle was a member of the Spartan women's hockey team. In addition, the Roberts siblings have many friends at Castleton and Norwich.

In past iterations of the event, the Cadets and Spartans had each climbed for 24 hours straight, competing against each other to determine which squad could register the most vertical feet and raise the most money.

The set up for this year's event will be altered to more accurately reflect Connor's legacy of being a bridge-builder and bringing people together. Norwich and Castleton will team up together to climb for a combined 24 hours. Castleton and Norwich will both kick off the event climbing from noon on Saturday, February 1st until midnight. The Spartans will climb at the Glenbrook Gym Rock Wall with Norwich climbing from at Hurley Rock Wall in the Shapiro Field House.

The teams will be working towards several goals which will be rewarded for corresponding points. These goals include most overall participation, most vertical distance climbed, most feet climbed by a single individual and the oldest and youngest climbers to reach the apex of the climbing wall.

The continued goal of the collaboration is to raise money to benefit the CJR Memorial Fund, LTD, which awards high school students with scholarships to pursue higher education as well as aid youth sports programs in the St. Albans, VT., area. Proceeds from the event will be given to the Roberts family in a ceremony following the match between Castleton and Norwich to take place this season at Dave Wolk Stadium on Wednesday, March 25th, starting at 7 p.m.
Over the first five years, the Climb for Connor has raised over $25,000 for the CJR Memorial Fund.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for donations to this year's event. The page can be accessed at https://www.norwich.edu/connor.

All are welcome at the event to climb, donate, or to simply support other climbers in their respective 12-hour show of support for Connor and his Memorial Fund. No climbing experience is necessary and all equipment is provided at no cost.

"This event really highlights who Connor was and his lasting legacy," Norwich associate coach Nick Fischer commented. "Connor was a true 'bridge builder' who brought the Castleton and Norwich communities together. We will continue to work together with Castleton to reach our joint goals. Connor also loved competing. While working with Castleton, we will have a friendly competition in order to raise money for the CJR Memorial Fund ltd, and continue Connor's legacy."

For more information, potential participants and supporters should contact Coach Fisher at nfischer@norwich.edu or James Thivierge at jthivier@norwich.edu with any questions. Interested parties can also follow the progress of the climb on Twitter at either @norwichlacrosse or @ForConnor9.