5 Super Athletes With Ties To Concord

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Concord area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Matt Bonner (Basketball)

Concord native Matt Bonner is a celebrated former professional basketball player who earned recognition for his talent on and off the court. A standout at Concord High School, Bonner led his team to three state championships and graduated as valedictorian. After excelling at the University of Florida, where he was a two-time Academic All-American of the Year, Bonner went on to a successful NBA career with the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs, winning two NBA championships. Knicknamed the "Red Rocket" or "Red Mamba," Bonner is known for his dedication, community connection, and sportsmanship.

2. Tara Lynn Mounsey (Ice Hockey)

A trailblazer in women's ice hockey, Mounsey made history as a United States Women's Olympic Hockey Team defenseman, earning gold at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano and silver in 2002 Salt Lake City. Mounsey played hockey at Concord High School, where she broke barriers as the first female player to win New Hampshire’s Class L Player of the Year award, leading her team to the 1996 state championship. At Brown University, Mounsey excelled in ice and field hockey, earning numerous accolades, including Olympic All-World Team honors.

3. Bob Tewksbury (Baseball)

A standout pitcher in Major League Baseball, Tewksbury played for teams including the Yankees, Cubs, and Cardinals. He earned an All-Star selection in 1992 and set records for his exceptional control on the mound. Born in Concord, he attended Merrimack Valley High School, where his baseball journey began. Renowned for his precise pitching and innovative strategies, Tewksbury became a respected sports psychology coach, serving teams like the Red Sox and Giants. He remains deeply connected to Concord, where he continues his charitable work and teaches as an adjunct professor at NHTI.

4. Becky Bonner (Basketball)

Becky Bonner, a Concord native, has excelled on and off the basketball court. She earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors and All-American recognition at Concord High School, showcasing her talent with a remarkable junior-year triple-double average. Bonner continued her success at Stanford and Boston University, setting records for three-point shooting and earning All-America East Conference honors. After playing professionally in Sweden, she transitioned into basketball operations, holding roles at the University of Maryland and the University of Louisville. Bonner is the director of player development and quality control for the Orlando Magic NBA Team.

5. Ben Lovejoy (Ice Hockey)

A skilled defenseman in the NHL, Ben Lovejoy played for teams including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, and New Jersey Devils, before concluding his career with the Dallas Stars. He is celebrated as the first New Hampshire native to win the Stanley Cup, achieving this milestone with the Penguins in 2016. A proud alumnus of Dartmouth College, Lovejoy balanced his time on the ice by excelling in lacrosse and earning All-Ivy honors. Known for his defensive acumen and dedication to the sport, the Concord native made history as the first active NHL player to pledge his brain to concussion research, demonstrating his commitment to the future of hockey.

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