With the spring sports season canceled at its very beginning (or before it even started, for some Union teams) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UnionAthletics.com will spend the next few months spotlighting many of the Union seniors whose athletic careers came to a premature end. Previous senior profiles can be viewed by heading to http://www.unionathletics.com/seniorspotlights.
 
Jimmy Connelly served as a captain of the Union men's lacrosse programs as a junior and senior, helping to lead two of the most talented squads ever to play on Frank Bailey Field. He was named a USILA All-America honorable mention as a junior, when he scored five goals with five assists to go with 44 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers as the team's top defensive midfielder in leading the Dutchmen to a 14-4 record and the third round of the NCAA Tournament. He was named an Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-American before his senior campaign, and the Dutchmen were ranked 10th in Division III after winning four of their first five games, including a dramatic 16-11 win over #12 St. John Fisher last Wednesday in the team's eventual season finale.
 
What has been your favorite moment as a student-athlete at Union?
My favorite moment as a student-athlete is split between two occasions. The game at RPI last season was the best lacrosse environment I have ever been a part of. It was a rivalry game between two teams looking to make the NCAAs and push for a Liberty League Championship. The game was tight throughout until we pulled away in the fourth quarter. The amount of friends and family who traveled to Troy to support the team made it seem like a home game. I will never forget the happiness I felt after that game. It made me proud to be wearing garnet.
 
The other moment that will stick with me forever is what turned out to be our last lacrosse game of the season when we hosted #12 St. John Fisher. After seeing the cancellation of the NESCAC teams, we knew that this game could be the last of the year. In the sadness and uncertainty, an energy I had never seen before grew in the locker room and on the field. My team played the hardest 60 minutes of lacrosse I had ever seen, like it could be the last of all of their careers. Nobody was looking to fill the stat sheet or make the flashy play on that night. Everyone wanted the same thing and that was a win for the Union Dutchmen. The game ended 16-11 Union and there were only smiling faces on the field after the game. Celebrating with the team, parents, and friends after the game made the win even more special.  I will never forget that game as long as I live.
 
How has being a student-athlete at Union benefited you over the last four years?
Being a student-athlete has helped me become a leader, become better at time management, and also become a great teammate. It has also introduced me to so many kind people who truly care about student-athletes.
 
What has been your most meaningful experience outside of athletics?
My most meaningful experience outside of athletics was attending a leadership conference for Sigma Chi to help advance the organization's goal to serve the community.
 
Who was/is your favorite professor at Union and why?
My favorite professor at Union was Professor Stacie Raucci [Professor of Classics]. I had her for my first class ever at Union and she made me feel extremely comfortable as a first-year trying to find my place on campus.
 
Do you have plans for post-graduation yet?  If so, what are they?
I do not have any set plans yet for after graduation. I am currently looking for a career in the construction industry. 
 
What advice would you give to younger athletes about their time at Union?
I have two pieces of advice: 1) Enjoy your time at Union both on and off the field; the friendships you create off the field are just as important as those on it. 2) Be open to change in order to be a great teammate. I got recruited to the lacrosse team as an attackman, but started and finished my career as a defensive midfielder. Sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to succeed.