Written by Kaileigh Grieb '25
- Endicott Athletics Student Beat Writer

BEVERLY, Mass. — A new chapter has unfolded for former Endicott student-athletes Stephen Fama M'23 (Lynnfield, Mass.), Eric Johansson '23 M'24 (Malmo, Sweden), Maria Hanchuk '23 (South Windsor, Conn.), and Patrick Tevenan M'23 (South Weymouth, Mass.). 

Having recently hung up their jerseys, all four Gulls have made the transition into coaching with their respective programs at The Nest.  

Here's how their coaching journeys came to be and the adjustments they've had to make going from player to coach so quickly. 

NOTE: the four coaches featured above were active members of their coaching staff at the time of initial writing; therefore some additional coaches may be left out

STEPHEN FAMA '23, MEN'S BASKETBALL

Being a native of the North Shore, Fama recalled hearing all about Endicott men's basketball head coach Kevin Bettencourt long before he donned a Gulls uniform. 

Fama played a pivotal role as a leader for the Gulls upon transferring from New England College in 2021. He attributed his decision of joining the roster as instrumental to his basketball career.

"I got here two years ago, and it was probably the best decision I could have made. Right after COVID, I came home, but I was looking for a place to get my master's, and I wanted to finish out my eligibility," recalled Fama on what drew him to Endicott in the first place. 

But, once the buzzer was running out on his time with the Gulls on the court, and due to injury last season, he sought a way to remain close to his team. 

"Last year, I got hurt and missed most of the first semester. So my role kind of went down a little bit because I wasn't playing. So I had to kind of pivot and I still wanted to be around the guys and do everything for the team. I was just kind of helping do it [coaching] as much as I can, while I was rehabbing to get back on the floor," Fama recalled in his last season with the Gulls. "I used to mess with our coach. I'd be like, 'However you want to bring me back next year, just let me know and I'll make it work,' fortunately, he gave me the opportunity."

Fama had been one of the many players that grew up around the game and loved every second of it. 

Having his father and brother become basketball coaches, the idea seemingly sat on the back burner and didn't seem like a possibility for Fama at the time he was playing. 

Being in the position he is now, like his own family with coaching, Fama looked back on his journey from playing to instructing:

"You're going to be done playing at some point. I used to always hear that the ball stops bouncing for you, you have to figure out what you're going to do next. I never in a million years would have thought that I would have been coaching at the school that I went to and then coaching guys that I played with. That's not always easy, but for me, it's been fun because the guys respect me and they listen. I like to be almost like a middleman between a friend, a coach, and a player."

When creating his coaching philosophy, Fama relied on the fact that he was once in his players' shoes

"It's not always easy for a player to listen to a coach who isn't always out there. But I was there not too long ago, not even not even a year ago. So for them, if I see something on the court, or if they come to me, I can listen to them and I can also tell them what I see, and how to adjust because it's not always easy for someone to listen to a coach who hasn't played in 30 years. But it's awesome. I give a lot of credit to the guys because it can't be easy for them too. But they've been great."

When it comes to the responsibilities that make up "Coach Fama", he explained that:

"In games, I help with any in-game adjustments that need to be made and I help coach the players on the bench during the game. With practices, I help run and execute drills while also giving my insight on what I see to the players to help them adjust and get better."

Fama made a point to circle back to thank his teammates for the opportunities they gave him both off and behind the bench. 

"I thought the transition was going to be a lot harder for me, because when you go from being a high-level athlete to not playing, but just being on the sidelines, you feel like you want to keep playing like you want to be able to be in the game. But for me, I love our guys, and I just want to see them succeed, and whatever I can do to help them. That's what I'm here for. So it's been fun so far and hopefully, we can keep it going."

ERIC JOHANSSON '23 M'24, MEN'S ICE HOCKEY

Endicott men's ice hockey has welcomed a roster of talented players season after season, 12 of whom have gone on to play professionally upon leaving Raymond J. Bourque Arena. 

However, when some hockey players don't turn their sights toward professional careers, they seek other avenues to remain involved with the program that they love. 

When his time with the Gulls reached its end, Johansson was ready to return to his home country of Sweden. However, as luck would have it, an issue with his Visa kept him within arms reach of the team for just a bit longer. 

"There were some complications with my visa so I decided to do a fifth year at Endicott and then work part-time at a family office. So, I reached out to our coaches to see if there was anything they needed, and that it was a more natural way for me just to help out as the assistant coach. I just wanted to give back to the team and help out in any way I could." 

Johansson is one of those skaters who is ready to instill everything he has learned into the newest generation of hockey players. Having joined the program in just its fifth year of operating, he mentioned how the values that he and his teammates fostered in one another followed them throughout their time at Endicott. 

Johansson took the opportunity to reflect on his growth as a player, recalling his experiences with the program, and the memorable moments shared with his teammates.

When thinking back on his time, he looked into ways that benefit him as a player to incorporate as a coach.

"The success we had on the ice, I think we have a lot of that to thank because we were so close off the ice. It was nothing but great, great times for my four years playing trying to cut even though we had to deal with COVID and those kinds of things, but there was nothing but great things for the team and the program as a whole," recalled Johansson.

Johansson took a lot of time to think back on the highs and lows of his time on the ice, helping him develop a solid coaching foundation for his players. 

"You know, playing for so many years, I've been at the highest highs and the lowest lows in the sport. So I just think it's just trying to help out with things that's worked for me and the winning teams I've been on and try to almost be contagious and spread positivity to the team with that. I'm just trying to be hard on the guys. At the end of the day, time flies, so I just wanted them to live in the present and not take anything for granted because it can be over quickly."

But, when it came to looking back on whether or not a coaching career was expected while playing at Endicott, Johansson thought for a moment and said:

"Not really. But then, once it was all said and done, it's just like I don't have any more hockey, and obviously, I've been in the game for so long, it's hard to just leave it completely. So I think this is the perfect way, either if this is the start of my coaching career, or if it's just a nice way to help out in the sport that has given me so much."

Johansson's day-to-day life can be seen as hectic to outsiders, but, for him, he enjoys the hustle and bustle. 

Starting his day with class every day at 8 AM, being a part of a team as well as being in the accelerated master's program helped develop the necessary time management skills that he has adapted for his team.

From there, Johansson's day continues.

"I go straight to work and I work anywhere from 4-6 hours a day and I can't tell you enough how grateful I am for my coworkers. They are extremely supportive of the team and always interested in how we are doing. It is hard to do it without everyone at the office. After work, I go straight to the rink and it's most likely a few minutes before practice starts so I catch up with the coach, and we go over the practice plan," Johansson explained.

Once practice starts, Johansson is on the ice for an hour and once he wraps up, he spends time with his team going over plans for their next game time. 

Johansson was one of the many feared names that guided Endicott to the Frozen Four last season. 

Needless to say, with a player who had done as much damage as he had in his career, there is much knowledge to learn from Johansson now that he's behind the bench.

MARIA HANCHUK '23, SOFTBALL

Hanchuk created quite a reputation for herself while in uniform for the Gulls. 

Having been a powerhouse in the circle, the star softball player racked up more than a few titles and awards. 

She has been recognized as quite a reputable pitcher by the coaches in the CCC and the region. Being named not once but twice CCC Pitcher of the Year, Hanchuk has also been recognized as a 2021 All-CCC First Team, 2021 NFCA Division III All-New England Second Team, 2022 All-CCC First Team, 2022 NFCA All-Region II First Team, and 2023 All-CCC Second Team selection.

With all of these accomplishments under her belt, it was no surprise that Hanchuk was offered to continue her legacy on the field for a fifth year, however, she sought a different approach to the idea.

"It wasn't easy for me to decide to not play or do a fifth year, but I felt that I wanted to get my career going honestly and I worked right at Kingfish Media, which is right here in Beverly, and I wanted to get my career going. But I felt like my time with softball in general just wasn't over," Hanchuk reflected.

And so, a new door opened up for Hanchuk to keep her cleats from getting hung up. That door revealed a coaching opportunity with the team she had grown to love.

Having already conducted pitching lessons with young pitchers in elementary school and middle school, the desire and passion for coaching was always there for Hanchuk, it was just a matter of time if she wanted to take on the role.  ​

The role that Hanchuk will be taking on during practices will consist of creating pitching workouts, ranging from 40 to 80 pitches depending on the day and the goal of that workout. 

"What we are trying to focus on this year and what we have focused on in the past is implementing pitching sequences and realistic game-like situations. Our pitchers are trained to not only physically succeed in games, but also mentally succeed. These workouts train both," Hanchuk explained. "I also handle in-moment critiques and mechanical fixes to better each unique pitcher."

Hanchuk dove deeper into the technical aspects of the position, saying:

"What some people don't understand is how technical pitching really is. All parts of the body have to perform in a certain way for each individual pitch to successfully spin and be effective. As for the mental game, I really want to take these pitchers under my wing. the mental game can be more of a threat than anything else. I have learned so much over the years. mental strength and confidence was definitely a strong suit of mine." 

As for the games, Hanchuk will be assisting the coaching staff with calling pitches throughout the games. Tipping her hat to head coach Katie Bettencourt, Hanchuk emphasized how much she aided herself and the numerous other pitchers she played alongside.

"She [Coach Bettencourt] has an amazing grasp of pitching sequences and what pitches should be called, especially for someone who wasn't a pitcher in college. We complement each other when tensions rise because one single pitch can change the course of the game. I will also be coaching and checking in on the pitchers throughout the game to make sure that all of their mechanics and pitches feel strong. This is important because if something is not working during a particular day, that is something to note when they are in the circle."

When asked if she saw herself filling this coaching role with her team, Hanchuk laughed and followed with:

"If you told me that I would be a part of a team and a coaching staff a part of a team. I would say you're lying. It's not where I thought I was going to be. But during my senior year, when I kind of realized it as a possibility, and people were like, 'You should come back to coach', I realized that it was a possibility. And so I would say like in the last year and a half. That's kind of when it started becoming a reality in my head."

Once she took on the role, Hanchuk's teammates welcomed her back with open arms and offered her every ounce of respect to learn and grow from one of their very own. 

Hanchuk's teammates all rallied behind her, excited to watch her grow in her new role. 

The support that she had felt emphasized how important a solid team culture is to a coaching staff.

"I admire our team because we have one of the most genuine team bonds, we work so hard outside of the season. But when it comes to the season, we are just so excited to honestly spend every waking second with each other," Hanchuk said on behalf of her team dynamic. "I think the greatest thing that I've taken away from the program is not only do we want to win and succeed for ourselves, but we've learned how to want and want to win and succeed for Coach Katie [Bettencourt] and teammates."

PATRICK TEVENAN '23, BASEBALL

Coaching had been something that Tevenan had seen in his future career for quite a while. 

So when the idea was planted in his head by Endicott's coaching staff, Tevenan was ready to take on the role and responsibilities that come with gaining the title of "coach".

"The process of just getting into coaching, it was something that I had talked to Coach Oringer, and Coach Haley about. When we had our exit meetings out in Cedar Rapids, and then we got back in the summer I went right out with Coach O two or three weeks later to a scout day and it just took off from there," reflected Tevenan when asked about the process of becoming a part of the coaching staff for the Gulls. 

Tevenan felt support from friends and family, especially his parents, and made a point to extend his thanks to his former coaches for their ability to allow him to get his foot in the door of the world of coaching, knowing that their support meant the world to him.

"Coach Felice, Coach O, and Coach Busby just really did a great job making me feel comfortable in helping me learn as much as I could from their experiences. So I want to show how appreciative I am for their guidance and helping me get more comfortable with everything."

Having been a catcher for the Gulls last season, and a four-year member of the Gordon baseball team before completing his fifth year at The Nest, Tevenan explained how his day-to-day roles would consist of working with the backstops, and helping the new players adjust to the team environment. 

Endicott's baseball program reached new heights in 2023, dominating play in the Commonwealth Coast Conference, eventually punching its ticket to the NCAA D3 College World Series for the first time in program history. 

However, Tevenan emphasized that their jobs aren't done following last season's success.

"We have a good group that's coming back. We have some young guys that we're excited about and then we have some guys who haven't had their opportunity yet that are gonna get a chance to play that we're excited about," Tevenan stated, excitedly. "As a team, there's a lot of upperclassmen. I don't think there's any sense of panic, just because we know what a great group of leaders we have that's experienced so much, especially the last two years."

When asked about an example of the adversity that this team swiftly overcame, Tevenan didn't hesitate to bring up Game One of the Bridgewater Regional Tournament, saying:

"Both those teams lost a game and the regional and came back to win it. I don't think you have other groups that have faced more adversity than that and be able to get through that and end up winning and moving on to the next round."

He now brings with him the experience and passion of someone who's been there and done that.

Tevenan's transition from player to coach marked a significant chapter. 

As the baseball program looks ahead, Tevenan's coaching role adds a fresh perspective to the legacy of Endicott baseball. 

As these players-turned-coaches start their new journey behind the bench, they've shown that they're not just trying to win games; they want to leave a lasting impact on the programs that once gave them everything. 

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

(Photo Credit - David Le '10)