McConnell, a catcher developed on area fields, played for University City High School, the U. City American Legion team, the Hellrung-Grimm club of the Muny League.

He attended the University of Illinois. At, Illinois, he played one year of football and was team captain of the baseball team that included Major League Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau.

After He also played professionally with a Cincinnati Reds farm club at Cedar Rapids, la. 

McConnell was an outstanding prep baseball and football coach at Clayton High and John Burroughs High. He also served as athletic director at John Burroughs.