The Ultimate Student-Athlete - University of New Hampshire Athletics

By Molly McAteer
Special to UNHWildcats.com

Conner Allen (Centreville, Md.) is the true representation of a student-athlete. Not only a standout athlete on Memorial Field, Allen also succeeded in the classroom, graduating with a cumulative GPA of a 3.96. On the field, she was the only Wildcat to start all 12 games in the Spring 2021 season.

"Conner's excellence in the classroom extended to the playing field -- just as in the classroom, on the playing field she continually strived for excellence," UNH field hockey head coach Robin Balducci said. "She never shied away from hard work. Her work ethic and discipline set her apart and made her a tremendous role model both on and off the field."

Allen started to play field hockey at the age of eight and was coached by her mother until her freshman year of high school. Her love for the game developed at a young age, specifically while watching the NCAA Division I Championship game in 2010. Allen sat in the bleachers watching the Maryland Terrapins play the UNC Tar Heels and was immediately taken aback by the athletic talent.

"I remember that game so vividly and I remember going home thinking I want to be one of those women. I want to play at the top level, and I want to play in college. That moment was when I realized my love for the game was just beginning."

Conner was coached by her mother Elisebeth throughout elementary and middle school.

A transfer student from the University of Delaware, Allen called UNH home for her junior and senior years. Allen first stepped onto the UNH campus in December 2018 for her official visit.

"I really liked the location. I loved how close the Field House and Memorial Field were to everything and Coach Balducci made me feel welcomed right away."

Alongside athletics, academics is something that Allen is very passionate towards. She is a four-time Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA Division I Scholar of Distinction and Division I National Academic Squad member.

"I felt like I could really learn a lot from going to UNH just by the class load and how the major was structured. I knew it would really prepare me for life after college, not just challenge me during college but set me up for a brighter future. That was definitely a really attracting aspect of UNH."

Allen graduated this past May with a degree in English.

"I really enjoy writing papers, analyzing different texts and getting into conversations about them. That was pretty much the English major at UNH. I am very appreciative that I was able to branch out in my major and explore political science, justice studies and other fields that I found interest in as well."

When asked how she balanced being a student-athlete, Allen spoke highly about using a planner. She describes herself as a person that writes everything down and creates small realistic goals for herself in order to stay on track of her busy schedule.

"I feel like my goal setting really helped balance schoolwork and field hockey. I was able to combine those two mindsets and make it manageable. That was the key for me."

Allen was inspired by many when growing up and finding her drive for success.

Conner played 28 games as a Wildcat and earned America East All-Academic Honors as a senior.

"Katie O'Donnell who is now Katie Bam, played for the University of Maryland. On the field she is such a hard worker and I really strive to share similar qualities. I wanted to have the talent but what I could control was my hard work and what I put into my play. I really looked up to her in that aspect."

Being a student-athlete came with a lot of life lessons that will stay with Allen throughout her career. She was able to succeed through the English department as well as the UNH field hockey program. She was easily able to list several lessons the program taught her.

"Patience is a good lesson. Not everything is going to come right away. We have a lot of rules to live by as a UNH field hockey athlete. I feel like following the rules and being a good role model by helping my fellow teammates follow them as well is something that stuck with me."

Conner and her teammates on their first road trip of the 2019 season in Maryland.

Through being a member of the UNH field hockey program, Allen did not just mature as an athlete but as a woman.

"I feel like I really grew into myself through field hockey. My journey definitely wasn't the easiest in terms of the sport and I feel like it has shaped my character so much. I wouldn't take back any of the hard times because they showed me how great the good times are. It taught me how much influence I can have as one person."

In addition to many academic awards throughout her tenure, Allen recently earned the Athletic Director's Award for Academic Excellence for achieving the highest GPA of any female student-athlete.

"I am still so honored, and it feels surreal to me that I received that award. I am so thankful that the Athletic Director's award was the combination of my four years of really hard work and trying to be the best student-athlete that I could be. UNH is definitely the school that has allowed me to thrive in all aspects."

Reflecting on her four years of being a student-athlete, Allen thought about what made her journey so successful.

"Set realistic goals for yourself and stay in the moment. Do not think too far ahead because it is going to stress you out, and you do not need any more stress as a student-athlete. Believe in yourself. Set a goal and if you have confidence in yourself more people will have confidence in you. Lastly, make everything fun."

Allen will be attending James Madison University this fall to earn her masters in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communications. She sees herself pursuing a career in technical and professional writing as well as a potential career in law.

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