The vibe was electric on the Endicott campus throughout March. The reason?
The men’s ice hockey team had just handily won the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship against Curry College on March 4, earning an automatic bye into the NCAA Quarterfinals.
“Winning the CCC was certainly an amazing achievement and experience,” said Connor Amsley ’24. “Mentally, we had a large group that had won that trophy before and an even larger group that had lost the trophy before. We knew both sides of the feelings and there was no way that we were going to let that game slip from our hands.”
Adding to the exhilaration was the selection of Endicott as host of the NCAA Division III Men’s Semifinals and Finals Ice Hockey tournament—a first for the College in any sport and a thrilling addendum to a season defined by all-around excellence. Even Ray Bourque, former Boston Bruins star and the namesake of Endicott’s Raymond J. Bourque arena, wished the Gulls well.
But after besting Norwich University in the NCAA Quarterfinals, the No. 9 nationally-ranked Gulls endured a heartbreaking loss against No. 2 nationally-ranked Hobart College, which went on to win the NCAA Championship against Adrian College.
“We have played this game for 20 years and we—and our parents—have sacrificed so much, I am truly thankful that my last season went the way that it did,” added Amsley. “Hockey has taught me so much: work ethic and leadership … and I’ve learned how to effectively communicate and help lead a group of people to success.”
The history-making semester rolled on with the No. 1 nationally ranked women’s rugby team, led by head coach Carly Baker, capturing the 2023 National Collegiate Rugby 7s Small College National Championship with a 15-10 victory over Lee University on April 29.
Hours later that day, the women’s track and field program won its first-ever CCC championship by scoring the third-most points in meet history while the men’s golf team also secured its second straight CCC Championship and ninth overall for head coach Tom Smith.
Not to be outdone, the baseball and softball teams both captured CCC Championships on May 9.
Nearly half an hour before the baseball team captured its CCC title, Endicott’s softball program swept Western New England, 11-3 and 8-0 (both in six innings), to secure its fourth consecutive CCC Championship under the guidance of head coach Katie Bettencourt.
Led by head coach Bryan Haley, the No. 4/6 nationally ranked baseball team then defeated No. 13/18 Salve Regina by a 1-0 score in a victory marking the program’s second straight title and eighth CCC Championship overall.
“In reflecting on this year’s accomplishments, it’s difficult to adequately put into perspective the significance of the individual and collective achievements of so many,” said Brian Wylie, Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics.
For Wylie, this year wasn’t just about the wins on the field. He noted that the College’s 850 student-athletes also achieved an all-time best average GPA of 3.4 and performed nearly 5,000 hours of community service during the academic year.
“There is a lot to be proud of with our student-athletes for sure, but we are so fortunate to have amazing coaches and support staff that work everyday to help our student-athletes reach towards their goals that we should celebrate.”
At the time of publication, the baseball, softball, and golf teams were still competing in their respective NCAA tournaments. Visit Endicott Athletics and Recreation for the most up-to-date results and information.