Sun, Fun, and Memories at Homecoming and Family Weekend
And then there was sun.
It’s been a record-setting rainy year for Massachusetts, but for the first time in recent memory, the sun beamed down on Endicott’s Homecoming & Family Weekend.
A dedication of the Ayune Michel ’72 Academic Quad kicked things off in fortuitous style on Friday the 13th; but the first day of the weekend festivities ended with a walking tour of the College’s haunted hotspots, bingo in the Field House, and a men’s soccer win over Hartford, 4-0, at Hempstead Stadium.
On Saturday, both the mood and sun were high as the day began with morning yoga at the Center for Belonging and an induction of Caitlin Peters ’13 and Kamahl Walker ’17 into the Endicott Athletics Hall of Fame.
Often considered the best defensive player in Endicott women’s soccer history, Peters is the only student-athlete in the program to earn multiple CCC Defensive Player of the Year awards (2011-12) and All-Region Defensive Player of the Year honors (ECAC, 2012), amongst many other accolades, including a 2012-13 nomination for Endicott's NCAA Woman of the Year. But the 2012-13 Endicott Female Athlete of the Year honoree was just as successful in the classroom, earning CoSIDA Academic All-District and CCC Academic All-Conference accolades during her senior season.
Meanwhile, Walker took the men's basketball program and Endicott to new heights during his illustrious career (2013-17). In his senior season, he led the Gulls all the way to the Sweet 16, which marked the furthest NCAA Tournament appearance by a men’s program in school history.
He was also part of the winningest senior class in program history with 84 victories and won a pair of CCC Championships to go along with three NCAA Tournament appearances. He ended his career as Endicott's all-time leading scorer, finishing with 1,889 career points (second all-time in scoring average, 17.2). Walker also paced the program in field goals made (631), field goals attempted (1,370), free throws made (430), and free throws attempted (537) at the time of graduation.
Saturday continued with the EC Gulls Fan Fest & Beer Garden and football game against Western New England.
Before the big game, though, Gulls fueled up at Endicott’s Famous Brunch in Callahan Dining Hall. Marketing communication major Sarah Sicard ’27 was joined by roommate Zoë Watson ’27 and nursing major and big sister Lauren Sicard ’24 along with parents Rick and Christina. The Sicards didn’t have to trek too far to Beverly—just from Ashburnham—but even with two daughters at Endicott, this was only their first time attending Homecoming & Family Weekend.
“Lauren started in 2020 and it was the pandemic,” explained Christina, “and last year Lauren was studying abroad in Italy, so this year when we got the email, we were like, ‘Yay! We can finally go!’”
Lauren said she was looking forward to showing her parents the overall “energy” of campus, and Christina agreed.
“Every time we come—to drop them off, or whatever—I just love the whole atmosphere. It’s very family-oriented,” she said. “When Sarah decided this was where she wanted to go too, we were like, ‘Yes!’”
For dad, Rick, it was all about the tailgating activities, the FanFest, and attending the football game. “And seeing how we can embarrass them!” he joked.
While it was the first time at homecoming for the Sicards, it was the fourth and final for the InDelicato family from Windham, N.H. With their daughter Tori InDelicato ’24 on the Endicott dance team, the parents made sure to support their Gull throughout the day’s festivities, including during her performance at the football game.
“We’re psyched to be here on this beautiful day,” said mother Donna InDelicato. “We came to homecoming to support the team, and also just to appreciate everything that Endicott has to offer. The food is fabulous, probably better than ever. The campus looks great with the addition of the new building.”
For the Cummings family from Trumbull, Conn., it was double the homecoming fun this weekend, with daughter Caroline Cummings ’27 at Endicott and their son Matthew at Bentley University in Boston. Dad Matt, mother Michelle, and brother Toby ventured up to the Nest on Saturday morning and traveled to Bentley Saturday night.
While it may seem stressful to pull double duty, dad Matt was happy to be with his family. “It’s the same weekend, but we want to spend the day with Caroline. There’s a lot of great activities on campus. We look forward to going to the football game, and celebrating family weekend with her. It’s great to be here.”
With Caroline on the softball team, Matt noted he was excited to meet fellow parents of his daughter’s classmates and teammates, and celebrate the beautiful campus around him.
While the fans roared in the stands at Hempstead Stadium, Gulls also got the chance to view the game from the softball field on a large screen, all while enjoying fun lawn games, drinks, and delicious eats from the multiple food trucks.
Tony Cabral, mother of nursing major Isabella Cabral ’27 from Manchester, N.H., enjoyed the fun and upbeat atmosphere that the field provided.
“I think it’s really fun. This is a great environment, and you can watch the football game. We had tickets and didn’t even go cause we could watch it right here. It’s perfect. There’s something for everyone,” she said.
In the end, the game was a nailbiter—but the Gulls pulled it off, 24-21, extending their four-game winning streak.
The fanfare winded down on Sunday with both the women’s and men’s rugby teams beating Salve Regina and a closing concert in the Rose Performance Theater.
This year’s festivities marked the end of an era, however—in 2024, Endicott will get the whole flock back together by bringing Reunion Weekend in on the Homecoming & Family Weekend action.
That’s right: For the first time in a long time, past, present, and parent Gulls will return to the Nest for one extraordinary weekend. Classes ending in 4 and 9 are especially encouraged to attend—and it’s truly going to be a weekend to remember.