Endicott College Athletics: A Legacy of Growth and Achievement
Endicott College, a private institution located in Beverly, Massachusetts, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1939. Originally established as a two-year women's college with the mission of "educating women for greater independence and an enhanced position in the workplace," Endicott has evolved into a co-educational four-year institution with a thriving athletic program. As of the fall 2020 semester, Endicott enrolled approximately 4,300 students. The college has a 235-acre (95 ha) seaside campus.
The Early Years: From Junior College to NCAA Division III
Endicott College was founded as Endicott Junior College in 1939 by Eleanor Tupper and her husband, George O. Bierkoe. The school was named for John Endicott, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was issued its first charter by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that same year and graduated its first class, 20 students, in 1941. In 1944, the school was approved by the state for the granting of associate degrees. In 1952, Endicott was accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. In 1975, the college dropped the "Junior" from its name, becoming just Endicott College.
The seeds of Endicott's athletic legacy were planted long before its transition to a four-year, co-ed institution. The Women's Athletic Association was formed in 1941, demonstrating an early commitment to women's sports. One of the most popular “sports” organizations was the Flying Club. A new gymnasium/auditorium opened near Tupper Manor. The College also debuted the Ski Club for some alpine fun. Students were required to pursue a sport, which included archery and bowling. As the women’s rights movement and second-wave feminism emerge in the ’60s and ’70s, a women’s football team also debuted at Endicott. In the ’80s, more mainstream sports like basketball arrived at the College. The team goes on to win the 1985-86 Greater Boston Small College Conference.
Transition to NCAA Division III and Co-education
The incredible legacy of Endicott College athletics was born in the early 1990s, when the College boldly transitioned to a four-year, co-ed institution in hopes of growing enrollment. This year marks the Gulls’ 30th anniversary of joining NCAA DIII (which is itself celebrating a 50-year milestone); women’s soccer, women’s tennis, field hockey, women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball transitioned from NJCAA to NCAA in 1993. Since then, more and more programs have joined the flock, championships have piled up, and facilities like the Richard and Helen Post Sport Science and Fitness Center, North Field, Hempstead Stadium, Raymond J.
In 1993, Endicott became co-ed and an NCAA Division III member, marking a pivotal moment in its athletic history. Men's sports were introduced, expanding the college's athletic offerings and attracting a wider range of students. This transition required significant effort and resourcefulness from staff and coaches, who worked tirelessly to build competitive teams.
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To kickstart an ambitious growth plan, Endicott hired Larry Hiser as the head coach of men’s basketball and baseball in 1994, and he became the Director of Athletics a year later. Charged with building fresh rosters of competitive teams, Hiser hit the recruiting road with early coaches like current Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian A. Wylie, Ph.D., (then the head men’s lacrosse coach), women’s soccer head coach Dr. Success came from thinking outside the box for new locations to recruit for students and inspiring leadership from our then-president, the late Richard E. Brian Wylie, also the Coordinator of Student Life and residence director in the first male residence hall, Ebinger (now the Wylie Inn and Conference Center), said the group learned a lot in those first years. Hard work and resourcefulness got the Gulls through growing pains-staff, coaches, and even facilities all played multiple roles. Hiser recalls washing uniforms at home, just one of many similar stories. Multiple teams played on the lawn of historic Tupper Manor (then a residence hall and weekend wedding location), while the North Field served as the home field for lacrosse, baseball, soccer, and field hockey. And it all worked. “There’s really never been a bad era of Endicott athletics in 30 years,” he said. "Building an athletic department 30 years ago meant knocking on doors and sharing the story of what Endicott could be with students who had never heard about us. Dr.
Athletic Facilities and Programs
Today, Endicott offers 21 varsity programs and seven club sports. With over 100 NCAA Tournament appearances, Endicott is positioned as one of the nation’s top athletic programs. Football arrives in 2003. Endicott teams go farther than ever, with men’s hockey enjoying its first Frozen Four appearance (hosted at the Nest), the dance team and women’s rugby winning national titles, and baseball punching its ticket to the College World Series in 2023.
Endicott's commitment to athletics is evident in its state-of-the-art facilities. The outdoor facilities include the Cross Country Trail, Hempstead Stadium, North Field, Softball Complex, and Tennis Courts, Winter Island. Hempstead Stadium was built in 2003, and this turf surface is home to football, men and women's lacrosse, rugby, and men and women's soccer programs here at Endicott. The Stadium was originally named Endicott Stadium but was formally dedicated to Melissa Hempstead '69 on Saturday, October 3, 2015, on Homecoming Weekend. Endicott's baseball and field hockey teams use North Field, and all teams practice on this turf surface as well.
Indoor facilities include the Post Center, MacDonald Gymnasium, and Bourque Arena. The MacDonald Gymnasium was built in 1999 and is home to both basketball and volleyball teams. The Raymond J. Bourque Arena formally dedicated at Endicott College. The Post Sport Science & Fitness Center was opened in 2009 and is the main center for the School of Sport Science & Fitness Studies.
Leadership and Administration
George Bierkoe served as Endicott's first president from its opening until 1971. Eleanor Tupper then served as president until 1980. She subsequently wrote Endicott and I, published in 1985, which details the founding and history of the college. Carol Hawkes became the third president of Endicott College in 1980, and during her tenure, the college transitioned from a two-year to a four-year institution. Francis Gamelin served as Endicott's fourth president as the college searched for Hawkes' successor. In 1988, Richard E. Wylie became Endicott's fifth president. Wylie's 30-year tenure was marked by major growth; the college built more than 20 new buildings and expanded its footprint to 235 acres of land alongside Beverly's scenic coast. In 2018, Kathleen Hildreth Barnes stepped in as interim president while Endicott's board engaged in a search for the college's next president. On March 27, 2019, Endicott announced that Steven R. DiSalvo would become its seventh president. DiSalvo was inaugurated on September 27, 2019, and stepped down from his post due to health issues. Prior to DiSalvo stepping down, Bryan Cain was named Acting President on March 24, 2025, and Interim President following DiSalvo's departure.
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The Impact of Athletics on Enrollment and Campus Life
“I don’t think it’s any coincidence that as we get better athletically, our enrollment continues to go up,” he said. The department is fortunate that Endicott administration values what strong athletic programs contribute to a thriving campus, Brian Wylie added. Jenna Cosgrove ’09, a four-year student-athlete and captain of the Endicott women’s basketball team, is now the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Rhode Island College. “Now as an alumnus and opposing coach of a regional team competing in Division III, it is amazing to see the growth each year of Endicott Athletics,” she shared.
Endicott offers over 60 student organizations, numerous academic honor societies, and varsity, club, and intramural sports. Endicott College teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III. The Gulls are a member of the Conference of New England.
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