Written by RJ Nealon
- ECGulls.com Contributor

BEVERLY, Mass. — Kevin Morency, a homegrown Beverly, Massachusetts kid, was always familiar with Endicott and the Gulls' lacrosse program. A three-sport high school athlete, when it came time to attend college, Endicott was surprisingly not in the cards. "Going into my freshman year, I decided to attend Providence College," Morency said. 

But during his freshman year, he wanted more. He was in search of a sense of belonging. He looked no further than the school in his hometown. "One of the things I missed the most during my fall semester at Providence was the feeling of belonging to a team and to something that was bigger than myself," Morency said. "I wanted that structure and purpose."

While reviewing transfer options, Morency decided out of the blue to send a cold email over to Coach Hagarty and express his interest in joining the program. Unknowing what the end result would be, Hagarty agreed to let Morency try out for a walk-on spot. "I guess I gave him enough of a reason to let me stick around," Morency said jokingly, adding, "they haven't been able to get rid of me since." 

Eric Hagarty '10 M'11, the seventh-year head coach for the Gulls, knew "Kevin was 100% "as advertised," when Beverly high school head coach John Pyncheon reached out on Morency's behalf about transferring. 

"Kevin is one of the top five competitive athletes I have ever worked with," Pyncheon said. "He is also one of the best leaders I have ever had as a coach. He is a solid player and very athletic but what makes him special is his presence in the locker room. Every team he has been a part of at Beverly High School (captain of football, basketball, and lacrosse) over-achieved and either won their sectional championship or made the playoffs. The common theme between all three was that Kevin was a catalyst for winning. He will immediately help drive the competitive culture of the team."

A HIGHER MEANING

Now a graduate student, Morency is a three-time CCC Academic All-Conference selection and captain of this year's squad, reinforcing the purpose he was in search of by transferring to Endicott. 

Important as those accolades are, the most noteworthy one of Morency's entire career very well could be his selection as the first student-athlete chosen to wear No. 96 earlier this season.

"When we created this idea for the No. 96 jersey, there was no doubt Kevin was 'the guy'," said Hagarty. 

Endicott is a relatively young program, seeing its first full season in 1996. It is what Hagarty refers to as "one of the unique aspects" of the program's storied history which includes 10 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championships, the most in league history, and 13 total (three ECAC titles).

However, what has set the Gulls' program apart from the rest is the values instilled in each member of the program and college. 

"Over the years, each season has been built around culture and belief in values," Hagarty said. "Family, trust, respect, and accountability have been talked about since day one." 

It started with the program's first coach, and now current Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Dr. Brian A. Wylie from 1996-97, and then for the next 18 years (1998-2015) with Sean Quirk. 

Much like Dr. Wylie, Quirk is still a member of the Endicott Athletics & Recreation Department serving as Associate Athletic Director/Admission Liaison for the Gulls. 

"During my time here, we have built on this foundation, and it has evolved but the number 96 is a visible representation of a player that embodies the values that our program is built on," Hagarty said.

Those values have empowered many teams to successful seasons, but, most importantly, positioned many Gulls for greater successes in life upon graduation.

"There have been so many amazing people, players, and coaches alike, that have passed through the Endicott lacrosse program over the years," Morency said about what it means to wear No. 96. "All I've ever tried to do as an Endicott lacrosse player is honor those who came before me and set the right example for my underclassmen and those who will come after me."

Take a closer look at Endicott's rosters over the years and you can see Morency's "lead by example" philosophy in full effect. Morency started with the program as a goalie in 2018, changed to a midfielder from 2020-21, and most recently put the team over himself first by changing to a defensive midfielder officially this season.

Morency has a certain grit and toughness to him that allows for those position changes to happen. Not every student-athlete could navigate all the different responsibilities and skills required by each position.

"Kevin has embraced not only the position change, but also has brought a level of effort and intensity that his position requires and makes our team culture even stronger," Hagarty said. "Every day that mentality earns him immediate respect and visibly shows what it means to be a member of the Endicott lacrosse program." 

LASTING LEGACY

As Morency wraps up his career this year, while earning his MBA, he hopes there is value in being kind, in being humble, and in working hard with your head down. 

He joked about the light-hearted locker room quips about the "glue guys," hinting at those on the roster who might not play as much as others. 

Morency said, "I've always identified myself as one of those guys with pride, not because I've ever given up on competing for playing time but because I know every great team needs people who are willing to put aside their ego and put the team first."

"I take pride in doing my best to be one of those guys," he continued. "I haven't played much across my Endicott career but, at the end of the day, I'm at peace with that. The relationships I've built inside our locker room, the hundreds of hours I've spent out at practice with guys who I consider brothers, the community work and fundraising we have done over the years -- that's what the No. 96 is all about, at least to me." 

It is an honor created by the legacy that came before him, but it also is one built off the leadership and action Morency has created since finding his purpose at Endicott. 

Before Morency decided to come back for a fifth season, he sent these words to Coach Hagarty:

"Coach, I am coming back to get my master's degree and help this team in any way that I can... in any role you put me in... on and off the field." 

The Gulls (6-5 overall, 5-1 CCC) are currently positioned second in the league standings and will look to make a run at their 11th conference title over the next few weeks.

Somewhere, somehow, No. 96 will make an impact on those championship aspirations. That's just what Morency does.

For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

(Photo Credit - David Le '10)