BEVERLY, Mass. - In conjunction with National Girl & Women In Sports Day (Feb. 3), the Endicott Gull Club has dedicated the week of February 1-5 to honoring our women alumni student-athletes. Throughout the week one alum will be featured each day (Monday-Friday) on the athletics website. Each alum will discuss their experiences at Endicott and they will also give advice to current student-athletes at the school as well.
Our third alum to be featured is former softball standout and Endicott Athletics Hall of Famer Adrienne (Leonne) Fatzinger '03.
On Monday, former women's volleyball student-athlete Kristen (Altieri) DeCarli '05 was featured. To read her story click here - Kristen (Altieri) DeCarli '05 Feature. On Tuesday, former field hockey All-American and all-time leading scorer Emily Sawchuck '15 was featured. To read her story click here - Emily Sawchuck '15 Feature.
What memory or memories from your time as a student-athlete at Endicott do you most cherish?
My most cherished memories as a student-athlete at Endicott were the times that we spent bonding as a team. Community service days, team dinners, spring training trips to Ft. Meyers and games that were all too close. We were and still are a true family. Of course I cherish the accomplishments too - our class was able to see undefeated seasons, record win streaks and 100+ wins. We were finally able to bring home the CCC title and move on to the NCAA Regionals for the first time!
As a student some of my most cherished memories were spent on the sidelines. As an athletic training major I was able to work with some amazing teams and coaches. I was lucky enough to have been placed on the Student Athletic Training Staff for the first ever football team, with my best friend. That was a lot of fun.
Do you feel your time as a student-athlete at Endicott helped you become a stronger woman?
I struggled a lot with confidence and I believe that having such a wonderful support system from my family, coaches, teammates, friends and professors helped me to overcome.
A good example would be the decision to pick up and move to Ohio to pursue my Master’s Degree and my first job as an Athletic Trainer. I felt prepared and ready for the challenge knowing that what I learned at Endicott, through sport and academics, had set me up for success.
Have you seen any change in women’s athletics from the time you competed as a student-athlete to today’s current landscape?
The girls/women in sports of recent years are ready to take on the world! This is a great thing! I do worry that with the rise in the competition that we don’t push the younger generation to do everything RIGHT NOW. Kids need to explore on their own time. We need to trust in them and support them in their journey. That being said, with such a rise in strong, confident female athletes there are more and more female role models emerging from a wide range of sports, which has been a positive change seen throughout the years.
What does being a female athlete mean to you?
It means that I get to do what I LOVE to do while just being me. I am female. I am an athlete. I am proud of my accomplishments over the years, but more so privileged that I had the opportunities! I feel lucky to be able to provide those same opportunities to young girls through coaching.
What would you want to say to this generation of college aged female-athletes?
So much!! Do everything with all you have and more. Take pride in what you do. Represent yourself, your families, your teammates, your coaches and your school in a positive light. Seize every opportunity and don't take those for granted. Always be in the moment, before you know it, it's over. If you're lucky, you will leave with a whole new family.
CURRENT STUDENT-ATHLETE AMANDA MERSEREAU '16 OF THE DANCE TEAM WEIGHS IN ON BEING A FEMALE STUDENT-ATHLETE
The dance team has helped me to better identify myself and my purpose in the Endicott community. It has also pushed me to be a better role model and leader. My teammates are my family; their dedication and commitment drives me to be the best version of myself at practice, on stage, in class, and around campus. It is my hope that when I become an alumna I can continue to support and bring out the very best in this team as our alumni do today. Endicott College Dance alumni: thank you for your constant support for this program. We have this saying on the team that we are family, but it extends beyond my teammates and coaches; it is the alumni too! Go Gulls!
(NGWSD began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player, Flo Hyman, for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women’s sports. Hyman died of Marfan’s Syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since that time, NGWSD has evolved into a day devoted to acknowledging the past accomplishments of female athletes and recognizing current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.)
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