He's a Keeper!

The Tabor lacrosse program is welcoming back a familiar face to the field this spring. Connor Gordon ’12 returns as Tabor Academy’s newest assistant lacrosse coach.

During his own Seawolf career, Gordon was a three-year starter in goal, had a 71 percent save record, team captain and MVP during his senior season, and was honored as a High School All-American. In addition to lacrosse, he also earned letters in soccer and ice hockey, captaining the skaters his senior year. Gordon went on to play Division I lacrosse at UMBC, University Maryland at Baltimore County, where he earned a spot on the league’s All-Freshman team and was one of twelve goalies invited to try out for the U.S. U-19 National Team.

This season, Gordon will be working alongside Head Coach RJ Swift ’08, and Assistant Coaches Paul Salit and Ian Patrick ’84. Salit and Patrick are two of the very same coaches who instructed Gordon while he was a student at Tabor.

“He was an outstanding goaltender here, very athletic, and he could have played any position,” shares Salit. “But what made him a great goalie was that he was very steady, no matter what the situation was, he could focus on the play at hand. The defense follows the lead of the goalie, and when you have a goalie who is poised and confident, that’s how the defense will play.”

Gordon will be working with the goaltenders for both the boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams. “The technique that he provides is top notch because he has the experience himself. Connor's knowledge starts from the goal and works up the field; he's an excellent coach for the goaltenders, for the defense, and where he will grow as a coach is up the field,” says Salit.

Salit notes that Gordon, “brings general youthfulness and an ability to relate to the players. They respect him instantly because they can tell he knows what he's talking about.”

What makes Gordon a great fit for this program are his modesty and gratitude; they are what motivate him as a coach and those around him feel it. Gordon credits the Tabor lacrosse program, including Coach Swift, Patrick, and Salit, for the opportunities he’s had since graduating, like getting into college and receiving a scholarship. He knew he always wanted to come back to Tabor in some capacity, and so he jumped at the opportunity to be an assistant coach. The ability to teach students skills applicable on and off the field has been rewarding for him, proving coaching to be more than just a personal career goal.

Inspired by his fellow coaches, Gordon has ambitious goals for Tabor lacrosse. “With it being RJ’s last year, it would be great if we could have a winning season for him,” he shares.

Reflecting on his own time at Tabor Gordon says, “I realize how much Tabor did for me. The doors it opened for me, the people I met, the friends I made that I still have to this day. It’s one of those things that holds a very special place in my heart. I think I’m just one of many that really appreciate Tabor. I want to be here. I'm still a part of it now.”