BEVERLY, Mass. – As is tradition, Endicott College honored all student-athletes on Tuesday night in an annual end of the year ceremony that recognized greatness on the playing platform, in the community and, most importantly, in the classroom. The evening exemplified Endicott’s constant drive for greatness in all aspects of the college community. From the over 4,000 hours of community service performed in the North Shore area to the team and individual academic awards, the student-athletes showed that they truly embrace the meaning and understand the privilege of being a member of the Endicott community and representing Endicott Athletics.
The night got underway with a welcome from Director of Athletics, Dr. Brian Wylie who spoke to the pride that Endicott student athletes bring to the school not only through their performances but also in their character and leadership. He touched on the importance of the Gull Revolution, a student-athlete organization meant to bring more life to games on campus and create more pride in the Blue and Green. The Gull Revolution made a tremendous impact to the success on the field this year which helped bring eight conference championships home.
Following his introductions, Dr. Brian Wylie presented the Coaches’ Awards that are presented to one individual from each program. The list of winners were as follows; Julie Manning, Women’s Basketball; John Henault, Men’s Basketball; Liz LeClair, Field Hockey; Lexi Dussi, Women’s Soccer; Natalie Egbert, Women’s Tennis; Brett Longobucco, Men’s Soccer; Noah Mondello, Men’s Cross Country; Erin Haynes, Women’s Cross Country; Callie Dolan, Women’s Volleyball; Nick Kozlowski, Football; Katelyn Brown, Cheerleading; Zach Golojuch, Golf; Andrea West, Dance; Charles Nastasi, Men’s Rugby; Ceili Rose, Women’s Rugby; Michael Herman, Men’s Crew; Jennifer Thomas, Women’s Crew; Jesse Bilafer, Women’s Ice Hockey; Alli Noyes, Softball; Taylor English, Baseball; Peter Erickson, Men’s Lacrosse; Siri Mason, Women’s Lacrosse; Brennan Lowe, Men’s Volleyball; Evan Ross, Men’s Tennis; Ryan Pratt, Men’s Ice Hockey; Susie Pelick, Equestrian.
Once the Coaches’ Awards were given out, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) co-presidents, Stacie Teevens and Meg Donegan presented the annual SAAC awards which are awards created by SAAC members to recognize their peer’s accomplishments. Following this, James Daley took the podium to present the annual Athletic Training Student of the Year Award. This honor is awarded to a student who exemplifies professionalism, demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, and reflects academic excellence both in the classroom and in the clinical setting. This year the award went to a student who, as stated by Daley, “not only reflects each of those qualities, but also demonstrates a strong work ethic, a dedication to Endicott’s Athletic Training program mission statement and devotion to the entire Endicott Community.” The honor was awarded to senior Zach Markowitz.
Dr. Brian Wylie again returned to the podium to hand out the David H. Camett Award. This award honors a member of the Endicott community who presents a commitment to athletics and belief in the student-athlete. This year, the award was given to Denise Bilodeau, who has provided unwavering support for Endicott Athletics and the student-athletes in her 33 years as a member of the President’s Council and College Ombudsperson.
Mark Veilleux, the head coach of softball and the community service liaison then took the stage to present the Student-Athlete Community Service Award. This award is given annually to a student-athlete that is not just a leader in their sport but in the community by volunteering their time. This year’s recipient, a military veteran, is the Captain of the color and honor guard, sergeant at Arms for the American Legion, school liaison for the VFW and Scout Master for a local Boy Scouts of America Club. Patrick Cullen of the men’s rugby team was honored with this award.
Following this, Assistant Director of Recreation and Club Sports, Amy Wilichoski, presented the Outstanding Club-Athlete Award, given to both a male and female. Andrea West (dance) and Brian Sussingham (rugby) were honored with the awards. Sussingham, who has now received this honor two years in a row, helped lead the rugby team to a 7-4 overall record, while representing Endicott in the CCRC Select Side Tournament. West helped lead the Gulls to a regional championship for the third consecutive year while taking the title in Jazz and Pom, making the team the best in New England in both divisions.
The evening continued with presentations of the Student-Athlete of the Year Award and the Athlete of the Year Award both given to a male and female.
The Student-Athlete of the Year Awards went to Peter Erickson and Jesse Bilafer. Erickson, the lone captain of the men’s lacrosse team and CCC Short-Stick Specialist of the Year, posted a 3.68 GPA as an undergraduate, before posting a 3.78 GPA as a Graduate Student in the Athletic Administration program. A four year starter, the graduate student has recorded nine goals and ten assists for 19 points as well as 29 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. Head coach Sean Quirk declares Erickson a "top three captain of all-time."
Bilafer, holds an impressive 3.65 GPA as a Psychology major while competing as a dual-sport athlete on the women’s ice hockey and softball team. Bilafer was the women's ice hockey Coach's Award recipient and Team MVP. Playing out of position at shortstop at an All-CCC Honorable Mention level, Bilafer led the team to the NCAA Tournament Regional final and a CCC title. On the field, the senior had a .387 batting average, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 23 RBI and 7 stolen bases as a leadoff hitter as she also led the team with a slugging percentage of .575, 41 hits and 27 runs.
The Athlete of the Year went to one male and one female recipient, Sam Crough and Tad Gold. Crough, a senior on the 23-7 women's basketball team that made program history this season, led a team that will raise the program's first banner in history as the women were crowned 2013-14 ECAC DIII New England Champions following a 79-76 win over Smith. Crough, a forward, led team with 14.6 ppg while also posting averages of 45.5% from the field and 71.4% from the free throw line. After her four years dawning the Blue and Green, Crough ranks first all-time in field goals made and sixth all-time in points scored with 1,242. For her efforts, she also received 2013-14 1st Team All-CCC honors.
Gold, a senior dual-sport athlete that plays hockey and baseball, was third on the hockey team with 19 total points, notched 10 goals and 9 assists as he helped guide the team to the ACHA Regional Tournament and a 9-8-1 overall record. On the diamond, Gold has excelled as he was named CCC Player of the Year and All-CCC First Team after a year in which he posted a team-high .434 batting average, 24 steals, 17 walks, 41 RBI, 16 doubles, 9 triples, 56 runs and 69 hits with an on base percentage of .500 and slugging percentage of .648. Gold and the team have advanced to the NCAA Regionals this week after posting a 30-14 overall record which included the CCC Championship.
Endicott men's volleyball seniors Travis Netherton and Carter Roche delivered the final message to the Gulls student-athletes at the end of the 2013-14 Endicott Athletics Award Ceremony. They cap off their speech with a celebratory chant with the crowd of dedicated student-athletes which can be viewed HERE.
What has become a tradition of the event that always brings applause from the crowd was the video montage that was put together by football assistant coach Jason Scott (Click HERE to view).
2013-14 has proven to be yet another banner year for the Gulls as eight programs won their conference championships while one took home an ECAC championship and another took a regional title. More importantly, one athlete received a conference Senior-Scholar Athlete of the Year award, 16 took major conference awards, 41 received All-Region awards and six individuals were recognized as All-Americans. To cap it off eight coaches were honored as Coach of the Year. Endicott’s winning ways on the grounds of competition and in the classroom show why Endicott truly separates itself from the competition year in and year out.