Connor Hapward has built an impressive body of work to date. The Manhattan College Men's Lacrosse goalie who started all 17 games this season and led the Jaspers to a berth in the MAAC Championship Game has been named this year's recipient of Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal. The prestigious honor is awarded to one student in the graduating class who has made the most significant overall contribution during their undergraduate careers in the areas of excellence, leadership, and service. Hapward was bestowed the award by Manhattan College President Dr. Milo Riverso at the Spring Honors Convocation on Friday, May 17.
"It felt really good to represent my family and school in such a positive light," says Hapward. "I'm very humbled that the committee was able to relate to my story and see how much being a Jasper means to me."
Hapward finished his undergraduate career with a cumulative 3.97 GPA, graduating with a degree in Management. He will now pursue an MBA at Manhattan and will return as the projected starter for the men's lacrosse team next spring. This past season, Hapward posted the 15th-best save percentage in Division I Lacrosse with .545 block rate. He also ranked no. 17 in saves per game with 12.76. With Hapward starting all 17 games in net, Manhattan gained steam in the MAAC portion of the schedule and closed out their conference campaign with a 6-3 mark, earning them the no. 3 seed in the MAAC Tournament. Manhattan went on to beat Quinnipiac and LIU, respectively, before falling to Sacred Heart, 11-5, in the MAAC Championship Game at Gaelic Park.
"Myself and the entire athletics department are so proud of Connor Hapward for winning the Joseph J. Alumni Medal," says Athletic Director Irma Garcia. "His hard work both on and off the field is a testament to Connor's stellar character and his reputation as a leader on campus."
Outside of his responsibilities as the Jaspers net-minder, Hapward has participated in various initiatives such as volunteering at food pantries, being an ambassador on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, working with students with special needs, and serving as President of the Management Club in the O'Malley School of Business.
"How you do one thing is how you do everything," Hapward said. "Whether that's trying to perfect my craft on the field, or doing my best to study for a test…I try to give it my all and lead by example in that regard."
His peers and superiors have taken notice of his commitment to excellence and to upholding the La Sallian mission of the college. Br. Daniel Gardner, FSC, advises the men's lacrosse team and has seen firsthand the fruits of Hapward's hard work come to fruition. That is especially evident in the areas of academics, service, and athletics.
"Connor Hapward displays all the characteristics that Manhattan College tries to instill in a Jasper," says Gardner. "I am very proud that the Gunn Medal Committee recognized Connor's extraordinary personal successes and contributions to our college and am confident that he will continue to be a supporter and proud Jasper throughout his life and career."
Hapward was a member of the 2022 men's lacrosse team that hoisted the MAAC Championship — the program's first tournament title since 2002. He dreams of bringing another championship back to Riverdale so his teammates can get a sense of how special such an accomplishment is. Hapward is also a proud product of a goalie room that has produced stellar performers in recent seasons; first with four-year starter Brendan Krebs and then the breakthrough of Joe Persico in 2023.
"We're very proud of the goalie room we built," Hapward said. "It starts with pushing each other in practice. We root for each other and push each other and there's so much respect within the goalie group."
This summer, Hapward is busy interning at Everest in New York City where he is an Underwriting Intern on the Professional Liability Team. He is using all the lessons and knowledge he gathered both on and off the field at Manhattan to have success in his role.
"Our entire Jaspers Men's Lacrosse program is incredibly proud of Connor Hapward for earning this year's Gunn Medal award with his dedication, hard work and commitment to Manhattan College," says Manhattan Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Doug Sage. "Connor embodies what it means to be a true student-athlete by competing at the highest level in the classroom, on the field and giving back to the community."
