Endicott lacrosse captain has right makeup to lead team to title

Beverly’s Kevin Morency turns into first Gull to put on No. 96R.J. Nealon
 |  Special to Wicked NativeKevin Morency, a homegrown Beverly child, was at all times conversant in Endicott and the Gulls’ lacrosse program. But when it got here time to attend faculty, Endicott was surprisingly not within the playing cards for this former three-sport Beverly Panther athlete.“Going into my freshman 12 months, I made a decision to attend Providence College,” Morency stated.But throughout his freshman 12 months, he wished extra. He was in quest of a way of belonging. He appeared no additional than the varsity in his hometown.“One of the issues I missed probably the most throughout my fall semester at Providence was the sensation of belonging to a team, and to one thing that was greater than myself,” Morency stated. “I wished that construction and function.”While reviewing switch choices, Morency determined out of the blue to ship a chilly e mail over to Endicott Coach Eric Hagarty, expressing his curiosity in becoming a member of this system.Unknowing what the top outcome could be, Hagarty agreed to let Morency tryout for a walk-on spot.“I assume I gave him sufficient of a motive to let me stick round,” Morency stated jokingly, whereas including, “they have not been ready to eliminate me ever since.”Hagarty, who has now been teaching the Gulls for seven years, knew Kevin was 100% as marketed, when Beverly High School head coach John Pynchon additionally reached out on Morency’s behalf on the potential of transferring again residence.“Kevin is among the high 5 aggressive athletes I’ve ever labored with,” Pynchon stated. “He can be among the best leaders I’ve ever had as a coach. He is a stable participant and really athletic, however what makes him particular is his presence within the locker room. Every team he has been part of at Beverly High School as a soccer, basketball and lacrosse captain overachieved, and both received their sectional championship or made the playoffs. The frequent theme amongst all three sports activities was that Kevin was a catalyst for successful. He will instantly assist drive the aggressive tradition of the team.”A better which meansNow a graduate pupil and captain of this 12 months’s squad, Morency can be a three-time CCC Academic All-Conference choice, reinforcing the aim he was in quest of by transferring to Endicott within the first place.As necessary as these accolades are to any athlete, probably the most noteworthy spotlight of Morency’s whole profession very effectively might be his choice as the primary student-athlete chosen to put on No. 96 earlier this season.“When we created this concept for the No. 96 jersey, there was little question Kevin was ‘the man’,” stated Hagarty.Endicott is a comparatively younger program. It performed its first full season in 1996. It is what Hagarty refers to it as one of many distinctive facets of this system’s storied historical past, which incorporates 10 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) championships, probably the most in league historical past, plus three ECAC titles.However, it nonetheless comes down to the values instilled in every member of this system and the faculty as a complete that separates it from the remaining.“Each season has been constructed round tradition and perception in values,” Hagarty stated. “Family, belief, respect and accountability have at all times been talked about since Day 1.”It began with this system’s first coach and now present Assistant Vice President / Director of Athletics Dr. Brian A. Wylie (1996-97), after which for the subsequent 18 years with Sean Quirk (1998-2015).Much like Dr. Wylie, Quirk continues to be a member of the Endicott Athletics & Recreation Department, serving as Associate Athletic Director / Admission Liaison for the Gulls.“During my time right here, we’ve got constructed on this basis, and it has advanced, however the No. 96 is a visual illustration of a participant that embodies this system’s values,” Hagarty stated.Those values have empowered many groups to profitable seasons, however, most significantly, positioned many Gulls for larger successes in life upon commencement.“There have been so many superb folks, gamers and coaches alike which have handed by means of the Endicott lacrosse program over time,” Morency stated of what it means to put on No. 96.“All I’ve ever tried to do as an Endicott lacrosse participant is honor those that got here earlier than me so as to set the right instance for my underclassmen and people who will come after me.”Take a more in-depth take a look at Endicott’s rosters over time and you’ll see Morency’s lead by instance philosophy in full impact. Morency began with this system as a goalie in 2018, modified to a midfielder for 2 years (2020-21), earlier than placing the team first as soon as once more by formally switching to a defensive midfielder this season.Morency has a sure grit and toughness that permits for these positional adjustments to occur. Not each student-athlete may navigate all of the completely different obligations and expertise required for every of them.“Kevin has embraced not solely the positional adjustments, however he has additionally introduced a stage of effort and depth that every place requires, which makes our team tradition even stronger,” Hagarty stated. “Every day that mentality earns him instant respect, and that reveals what it means to be a member of the Endicott lacrosse program.”Lasting legacy As Morency wraps up his collegiate athletic profession this 12 months, whereas additionally incomes a MBA diploma, he hopes there’s worth in being form and humble, whereas working arduous together with your head down.He joked concerning the light-hearted locker room quips which can be centered on the “glue guys,” hinting at these on the roster who may not play as a lot as others.“I’ve at all times recognized myself as a kind of guys with satisfaction, not as a result of I’ve ever given up on competing for enjoying time, however as a result of I do know each nice team wants people who find themselves prepared to put apart their ego (for the sake of the membership),” he stated.“I take satisfaction in doing my finest to be a kind of guys,” he continued. “I have not performed a lot throughout my Endicott profession, however on the finish of the day I’m at peace with that. The relationships I’ve constructed inside our locker room, the a whole lot of hours I’ve spent at follow with guys who I take into account brothers and the group work and fundraising we’ve got executed over time, that is what the No. 96 is all about, at the least to me.”It is an honor that was created by the legacy, which got here earlier than him, however it is also one constructed off the management and actions that Morency has created since discovering his function at Endicott.Before Morency determined to come again for a fifth season, he despatched these phrases to Hagarty: “Coach, I’m coming again to get my grasp’s diploma and assist this team in any means that I can, (and) in any position you place me in on and off the sector.”The Gulls (6-5 total, 5-1 CCC) are at the moment second within the convention, and at the moment are trying to make a run so as to safe their eleventh title over the subsequent few weeks.Somewhere, someway, No. 96 will make an affect on these championship aspirations. That’s simply what Morency does.

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/herald-citizen/2022/04/28/endicott-lacrosse-captain-has-right-makeup-lead-team-title/7416256001/