For Connor Dong, there’s nothing like baseball. From days in the park as a kid with his dad to joining the Hunter College High School team, the feeling never goes away.

“I picked up a bat and it was just love at first swing," Dong said.

“Stepping onto the field, it means a lot," he added. "I still get butterflies even though it’s my fourth varsity year. It’s awesome. I’m so blessed to be able to play the sports I get to play.”

What You Need To Know

  • Connor Dong runs Hunter's Athletic Association, and makes sure everyone is celebrated through weekly Scholar Athlete nominations. He also provided a media day for all athletes

  • Dong plays three varsity sports while also acting as co-president of the chess club. Coaches and players alike comment that he's dedicated to everything he does

  • Dong also gives back to his community by helping out with younger players who are just getting into baseball. The senior loves giving back, because it reminds him of himself and where he used to be when he first started playing catch in the park with his dad

But this slugger isn’t just focused on his top sport. As president of the Athletic Association, Dong wants everyone’s successes to be highlighted.

“We started the Scholar Athlete program," Dong said. "We are able to show our athletes who perform at a high level, who are really good in the classroom, who are also really good people.... I’m really proud of being a Hunter athlete, and I hope my contributions show that.”

Dong feels this pride deeply, as he puts on not one, but three Eagles jerseys. Bowling, basketball and baseball keep him busy all year while also serving as co-president of the chess club.

“The Athletic Association is a big deal," said Thomas Harper, the varsity baseball coach. "Between captain of all that stuff, chess, being an elite athlete and then running the Athletic Association, it’s a lot of work.”

“I think that when people expect a lot from Connor, it’s because we know he can give a lot,” said Miriam Ong Ante, Hunter High's stats teacher.

In what little free time he has, this varsity captain spends his weekends coaching young players in the Yorkville Youth Athletics Club.

“It was super important for me to volunteer for that because I was once in those kids' shoes. I think it was a great opportunity for me and my friends to give back to a community we were once a part of,” Dong said.

Dong has high hopes for the baseball season. With so many seniors on the roster this year, this pitcher is hoping to take it all the way this season. He already started the season strong with a perfect game.

“Anyone who sees him is going to have to bring their game up due to the intensity he brings to the game,” Harper said.

“All of us know this is the final time we will ever be playing high school baseball, so we know it’s crunch time and it’s time to go," Dong said. "I just want to leave a positive impact, and I hope that students remember me as someone who worked hard and really cared about the Hunter athletics community."

Dong will be stepping onto the field at the University of Chicago next year, determined, no matter what he does, to knock it out of the park.