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 fourth alum to be featured is former three-time All-Conference selection Morgan DeShaw '12. To read features from earlier this week click below.
MONDAY: Kristen (Altieri) DeCarli '05 Feature | TUESDAY: Emily Sawchuck '15 Feature | WEDNESDAY: Adrienne (Leonne) Fatzinger '03
What memory or memories from your time as a student-athlete at Endicott do you most cherish?
The times spent with my teammates off the field. Some of my fondest memories come from pregame in the locker room, team dinners at the Callahan and long road trips on the bus. These memories would have never occurred if it wasn't for lacrosse and the bond we created on the field. Of course, I have memories from my time on the field as well. Winning four CCC Championship titles, our NCAA trip to California and spending spring breaks in Beverly, Mass.
Do you feel your time as a student-athlete at Endicott helped you become a stronger woman?
Definitely! As amazing as the big wins and accolades are, the lessons are learned when you lose to a rival, when you are down by a goal in the final minutes, or completely exhausted and freezing cold when you have to keep playing. Every situation or challenge I encountered during my time as a student-athlete has made me stronger and taught me important lessons.
Have you seen any change in women’s athletics from the time you competed as a student-athlete to today’s current landscape?
Since it has only been a few years since I graduated I am not sure I see a huge difference in the landscape of women’s athletics. With that being said, I think it is amazing that women have all of the athletic opportunities that they have today and when I was a student-athlete. It's awesome to see Endicott continue to grow its opportunities for women's athletics; such as building the hockey rink in order to have varsity hockey teams for both men and women. As someone who played club women's ice hockey for Endicott back when we were merged with Salem State, it is awesome to see the progress that program has made thanks to the effort Endicott has put into it.
What does being a female athlete mean to you?
Being a female athlete is empowering, it breaks down stereotypes and it shows that females can train hard, be competitive and assume leadership positions.
What would you want to say to this generation of college aged female-athletes?
Do not take it for granted! Everyone told me four years would go by fast and that is an understatement. Your life changes drastically when you no longer plan every day around a sport. I would say continue to push yourself when you do not think you can give any more and leave everything you have on the field, because when your four years are up, you do not get a second chance.
CURRENT STUDENT-ATHLETE MAGGIE LAYO '18 OF THE WOMEN'S ICE HOCKEY TEAM WEIGHS IN ON BEING A FEMALE STUDENT-ATHLETE
Being a student-athlete at Endicott means that I get the full experience here. I have the chance to be a part of our incredible athletic atmosphere while still being able to stay on top of my studies. My teammates are a great support system on and off the ice.
To the female alumni-athletes, Thank You! You have paved the way for women's sports and have made us stronger and stronger each year. Especially club athletes like ice hockey, you made our sport known to this college. Without you, we would not have this amazing new rink or a Division III team. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to play the sport we love at a competitive level.
(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.)
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.