PEABODY — Bishop Fenwick’s Derek DelVecchio couldn’t have asked for a better senior lacrosse season. DelVecchio helped lead the Crusaders to a program-best 15-3 mark during the regular season, a third consecutive Division 3 North state tournament appearance, two postseason home games and a trip to the sectional semifinal.
He’ll wrap his high school lacrosse career with one final game alongside Fenwick coach Steve Driscoll at Wednesday’s (7 p.m.) 8th annual Agganis All-Star lacrosse game. DelVecchio will represent Fenwick on the South all-star team.
“It’s definitely going to be a special night,” DelVechhio, a 3-sport athlete (football, hockey) said. “I get to play for Coach Driscoll and a couple of my friends that didn’t go to Fenwick. I’m looking forward to it.
“Coach Driscoll has done so much for me,” DelVecchio said. “He’s a great coach and a great guy overall. He guided me through lacrosse. He’s a great guy on and off the field. I can’t say anything but good things about him.”
Driscoll, coaching his third Agganis All-Star game, is looking forward to a final go-round with his star midfielder.
“It’s definitely going to be different with Derek,” Driscoll said. “He and I came in at the same time. I’ve been close with him during my coaching career. It’s definitely going to be special coaching him. It’s going to be great seeing him with the Fenwick colors on his helmet again. He has a great future ahead of him so I’m excited to have him one last time.”
Driscoll attributed Fenwick’s success over the past few seasons to the leadership brought by 2019 graduates DelVecchio, Brian Harrington and Garrett Ruszkowski. They teamed up as co-captains this past season and set high benchmarks for the underclassmen to aspire for.
“Derek has been a kid that sets the tone of how hard we want to work and the Fenwick standard of how he want to carry ourselves in representing the school and the program, from day one,” Driscoll said. “I really direct the success of this year toward Derek, Garrett and Brian. Derek’s a big part of that because of his success in hockey and football as well. It’s special for me seeing a young man grow into becoming a leader without even realizing it.”
DelVecchio’s initial positive impression toward Driscoll took place during his freshman season in 2016. Driscoll left DelVecchio off the varsity roster after his final round of cuts but the young midfielder showed no quit. He was intent on proving himself worthy of a varsity spot and did so.
“It bothered me,” DelVecchio, who resides in Saugus, said. “I thought I could play as a varsity player. I called Coach Driscoll and that moment defined our relationship. We became very close. I knew my work ethic, I knew I could play at the varsity level. I’m so grateful Coach Driscoll gave me that chance. The rest was history.”
DelVecchio’s senior year also included postseason runs in football and hockey. The football team went 6-1 during its regular season and reached the semifinal round of the Division 6 North state tournament. After a bumpy start, the hockey team found its footing in time to finish the regular season 10-9-1 and reached the Division 1 North quarterfinal.
“I’m grateful to have been part of three great teams,” DelVecchio said. “Coach (Dave) Woods with football, Coach (Jim) Quinlan with hockey. I had three great coaches. Each of the three teams, we all had special bonds. It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The postseason runs were great. The whole camaraderie in the locker room and having fun, there’s nothing better.”
Playing three sports kept DelVecchio busy but he didn’t let it affect his academics. He graduated with a 3.2 GPA and will attend Emmanuel College in Boston, where he’ll continue his lacrosse career.
“It was definitely tough but I’d find time during school in free periods,” DelVecchio said. “Sometimes you have to tough it out and take a late night. It was tough during my freshman year but after a while I developed a routine and became used to it.
“I’m very excited. I love Fenwick and I’m sad it’s over but I’m looking forward to playing lacrosse at Emmanuel and showing Coach (Trevor) Craven how hard I can work.”
But this week’s about closing his high school career on a good note.
“I couldn’t have made this game or the success during my senior season without my teammates,” DelVecchio said. “The past four years have been great in all sports. I couldn’t wish for anything better. I’m looking forward to Wednesday night.”