(ABOVE PHOTO: Endicott alum Zach Fried pictured working with one of his student-athletes at Wagner)

Written by Joey Barrett '21
- ECGulls.com Contributor

BEVERLY, Mass. – We all see the highlight reel plays and eye-opening moments from our favorite players, but what we don't often see is the training and recovery allowing them to perform. For three Endicott alumni, the College's athletic training program shaped them into who they are today.

Zach Fried, Jacob Lenthall, and Miguel Gonzalez have all taken off from Hale Street, but courtesy of the people around them and the program they were a part of, they've taken time to reflect on their journey as Gulls.

Fried graduated from Endicott in 2017, and despite saying he was put to work since his freshman year, he added that he was happy to do it.

Versatility is the most important thing about athletic training, Fried said. While at Endicott, he was exposed to every sport which he described as "crucial."

This has helped him in his current position at Wagner College, where a day in the life of Fried is constantly changing.

"Every day and week is a new situation that you have to deal with," Fried said. "It's by no means boring, and it keeps me moving and on my toes which I truly love. I could never picture myself working a typical 9-5 where I sit at a desk all day."

Lenthall graduated one year before Fried (2016) and has found a home at UMass Lowell. He said his comfort level is right where it needs to be, and pays tribute to Endicott's internship program.

"I would say Endicott's internship program as a whole gave me good real-world preparation for the demands of my future careers," Lenthall said.

From making sense of the content to learning how to explain it to patients, Lenthall is thankful for his time in Blue and Green.

For Gonzalez, who left Endicott in 2012, he has attracted eyes with his work ever since. He's worked for the Pawtucket Red Sox, Wentworth College, and the Micheli Center in Waltham for sports injury prevention.

"I evaluate and determine different actions to help prevent injuries from occurring, reoccurring, or help athletes return to sport," Gonzalez said. "It's a combination of AT, PT, and strength and conditioning all into one and I love it."

MOTIVATING FACTORS

All three Gulls have made a difference in people's lives, and each of them had different motivations for doing so.

For Fried, it's not only about helping athletes succeed, but also athletic training is therapy for him.

"I can't imagine doing anything else, I truly love this field and don't feel like I'm working most days," Fried said.

Going into Endicott, Fried had "no clue" what he wanted to do for a career. It wasn't until his father mentioned a small school in Beverly that holds less than 5,000 people that Fried found his passion.

And ever since his first course with Professor Donahue, he was captivated by the science and methodology of it all, and knew his heart belonged.

"From all of the different taping methods to learning human anatomy, I fell in love with this profession," Fried said.

For Lenthall, it was a combination of a conversation with his own physical therapist and a tour of Endicott's campus. After exploring the athletic training program, he thought it was a great way to "earn income in a field I enjoyed."

Gonzalez stresses how great it is to be a part of a "bigger team" that works together to succeed. Understanding that a lot of accomplishments on the court and field start in athletic training is what keeps him going.

"Knowing it all starts there, makes it fun and challenging," Gonzalez said.

The three may be in different parts of the region, but they all mentioned how integral Endicott College was in their endeavors.

Actions like learning about injury evaluation and rehabilitation to understanding what kind of advice to give athletes were great hands-on experiences for them, but the people by their side were the most important factors.

Literal and mental practice is what the Endicott staff likes to instill in their athletic training students, Fried said.

"I honestly believe that learning from all the various professors, preceptors, co-workers, and other AT students has really shaped me into who I am as an athletic trainer," Fried said.

He wasn't able to pick out one person who helped him the most and said it was a combination of everyone around him in Beverly through good and bad experiences alike.

"Everything that I have seen and experienced, the good, the bad, and the ugly have taught me how to be the best athletic trainer possible," Fried said.

Lenthall described himself as having a "joking nature" when he arrived at Endicott and claimed Abbey Wirtz – the school's head athletic trainer – taught him what a true professional looked like.

"She [Wirtz] was the first person who kind of struck home to me how body language, tone, and energy around your athletes and patients can change the entire treatment," Lenthall said.

Wirtz describes helping athletes as her "favorite part of the day," and was able to relay that mindset to Lenthall.

"It's finding what's wrong and then trying to help fix the problem," said Wirtz. "We also try to teach people how to exercise safely without fear and making lifestyle applications."

Lenthall has taken that mindset, giving him both the knowledge and personality needed to make a difference.

"Abbey spoke to me as a future professional and helped me develop some personal skills that still help me as a PT and ATC," Lenthall said.

For Gonzalez, he said that Clinical Coordinator for Athletic Training Kevin Rooney and former Endicott Associate Head Athletic Trainer Andrea Calore both made a big difference in his journey.

He adds that it was because of Rooney and Calore where he learned how much he loved the passion of athletic training.

"The impact they have had in my daily practice and mindset set the stage for me to be very successful in my career," Gonzalez said. "I couldn't thank them enough."

SUCCESS BEYOND THE NEST

For all the praise previously given to professors mentioned in this story, Rooney said that he's not successful unless his students are, and that staff members try to serve as mentors for their students.

"Over time, they really see our passion for the profession and whatever it is that we want to do," Rooney said. "They start to develop their interests and they really dive fully into whatever it is they're most interested in."

Rooney also said that campus involvement is the key to success in the field, and he's witnessed that ever since arriving at Endicott 16 years ago.

"Take advantage of the opportunities provided while you're here. Immerse yourself in your discipline, immerse yourself in your professional interests," Rooney said. "Our program regularly attends conferences with students, hosts career panels, alumni panels, and a lecture series with professionals from the field.  We strive to provide as many experiences as possible for our students to expand their resume, to develop their network, and enhance their knowledge of the profession."

Every student has a dream. Whether it's a goal, future position, or anything, Fried, Lenthall, and Gonzalez aren't done yet.

Fried dreams of being the head football athletic trainer at a Power Five school. Lenthall is working towards his sports certified specialist credentials (SCS), and Gonzalez wants to one day teach students to love athletic training just like he did.

Fried, Lenthall, and Gonzalez are in great positions to accomplish goals, but they're not the only former Gulls succeeding in the industry. The list below represents a sample of the most recent alumni from the athletic training program.

Endicott Alumni – Where They Are Now

Kevin Auffrey – Holyoke High School
Courtney Blake – Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
Dr. Tim Braun – Chatham University
James Cerullo – TeamHealth
David Comeau – Atlanta Braves
Alan DelValle – Southern New Hampshire University
Gina DeMilt – University of Vermont Medical Center
Brooke DePuy – Masconomet Regional High School
William Desjardins – Spaulding Rehabilation Network
Taylor Downey – Bishop Fenwick High School
Grace Farrell – Norwell High School
Maryanne Fitzgerald – Adelphi University
Sarah Gaffney – MCPHS
Nicholas Gallotto – Boston College
Anthony Giorgio – Emmanuel College
Daniel Greel – John Hopkins Hospital
Kylie Hallam – Cape Cod Hospital
Joel Harris – Boston Red Sox
Jennifer Hill (Steele) – Wake Orthopaedics
Emily Hoffman – ProEx Physical Therapy
Elisabeth Hutchins – Plymouth State University
Kylynn Kane – Select Physical Therapy
Aaron Karkow – Charlotte Hornets
Mackenzie Kennedy – University of Central Florida
Andrew Kirk – Plancher Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Brenden Leary – Austin Prep High School
Catie Lipscomb – American International College
Jessica MacDonald – George Mason University
Nicole McCardle – Simmons University
Elizabeth Mendola – Gordon College
Laura Murphy – Wheaton (Mass.) College
Eddie O'Reilly – Sports Medicine North
Rebecca Shemanskis – California University of Pennsylvania
Tim Snyder – Wellesley College
Rebecca Stoogenke – Ridgefield High School
Cassandra Susi – University of New England
Ken Tessier – Armstrong Atlantic State University
Sierra Villemaire – Texas State University
Sarah Wardlaw – Spaulding Physical Therapy / Peabody Veterans Memorial High School
Carli White – University of Alabama
Haliegh White – Western Washington University
Edward Wozniakewicz – Castleton University

"We are very proud of our alumni accomplishments,' said Rooney. "However, everything is constantly moving and we're always seeking new ways to build upon our successes."

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

(Photo Credit - Wagner Athletics)