Building a Baseball Legacy

The success of Endicott Baseball is built on more than talent—it’s about the people, culture, and values that define the program. 

Three straight trips to the NCAA Division III College World Series have cemented Endicott Baseball as one of the nation’s premier programs. This summer, the Gulls advanced to Eastlake, Ohio, after a thrilling Super Regional victory capped by a seventh-inning grand slam by Cade Bernardo ’27. While the team ultimately fell short of a national title, momentum is clearly on the team’s side.

That success is built on more than talent—it’s about the people, culture, and values that define the program. For Rachel and Curt Van Emon P’23, whose son Gabe helped lead Endicott to its first College World Series in 2023, the experience was life-changing.

“When Gabe was being recruited, we hadn’t even looked at Endicott,” Rachel recalled. “But then we met Coach Haley, and we knew it was a fit. He wasn’t just about baseball—he was about raising young men. As a parent, that’s all you want: one adult who truly knows and cares about your child. Gabe had that in Coach Haley, and we will be eternally grateful.”

The results spoke for themselves. Gabe went from barely playing varsity in high school to becoming NCAA Division III National Pitcher of the Year, earning a spot at Division I UConn alongside teammate Caleb Shpur ’23. More importantly, he grew as a leader. “He learned that leadership wasn’t about rah-rah speeches in the weight room,” Rachel said. “It was about how you show up, how you behave when you succeed, and how you behave when you don’t. Those are lifelong lessons.”

That’s why the Van Emons give back. “Endicott gave Gabe so much, and I’m grateful,” Rachel shared. “When you give to Endicott Baseball, you’re not just supporting a team—you’re helping young people learn resilience, leadership, and how to set big objectives and work to achieve them.”