As UMass Lowell celebrates 50 years of athletics since the merger of Lowell State College and Lowell Technological Institute, the stories of its programs reflect a legacy of perseverance, growth and pride. Each month we celebrate the moments, memories and people that, in their own ways, helped shape the character of River Hawk athletics.

Kicking off our yearlong celebration, we checked in with alumni from the River Hawk women’s soccer and football programs.

For Jamie Gillis ’09, former women’s soccer goalkeeper and member of the UMass Lowell Athletics Hall of Fame, the heart of her experience was always about more than wins and statistics.

“Some of my biggest memories from the women’s soccer program and UMass Lowell Athletics as a whole revolve around the lasting relationships I’ve built and the sense of family that came with being part of something bigger than yourself,” Gillis reflected. “From early morning sessions, to the lights being shut off while still out practicing at night, long bus rides, shared laughs and struggles – it’s those moments of connection — the people, the culture and the pride in wearing our UML gear everywhere and anywhere.”

That sense of unity fueled remarkable success. Gillis helped the River Hawks reach the NCAA Tournament in three of her four seasons and etched her name in the record books with an NCAA Division II record for consecutive shutout minutes — a streak that still stands today.

“Looking back on the NCAA streak, it definitely feels even more special now than it did in the moment,” she said. “It wasn’t just about one player or one moment — it was a true team effort. Everyone played a role and we held ourselves to a high standard. I’m proud of not just that streak and record itself, but what it represented.”

Women’s soccer at UMass Lowell began in 1995, joining the school’s growing slate of competitive women’s programs. In the decades since, the team has become one of the university’s most consistent success stories — earning multiple conference titles, postseason appearances and establishing a reputation for defensive toughness. The program’s rise through the Northeast 10 Conference culminated in regular-season championships and NCAA regional runs in the early 2000s, laying the groundwork for the transition to Division I in 2013.

After graduation, Gillis remained connected to the program, returning as an assistant coach during that Division II-to-Division I transition. 

“My time at Lowell is something I’m truly proud of," she commented. "To be able to share my experiences with the next generation was special. Soccer and UMass Lowell have played a huge part in my life, and I’m honored to be part of that legacy.”

Just as women’s soccer forged its tradition of excellence every fall in Lowell, another group of River Hawks was leaving its mark on the gridiron. Football may no longer take the field today, but its story remains an important part of UMass Lowell’s athletic history. The program’s first varsity game after the merger was played in 1975, marking the beginning of a new era of intercollegiate competition. Running back Gary Errico made national headlines in 1984 when he led the country in rushing yards, and the program reached its pinnacle in 1991, when it earned its only NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the New England Football Conference Championship. Quarterbacks Rob Aylward and Billy Rizos, and All-American tight end Tom Lafferty — who guided the team in the late 1980s and early 1990s — cemented themselves in UMass Lowell lore, remembered not just for wins, but for raising the profile of football and the university.

Alumnus Dave Janeczek ’82 recalls the excitement of those early years and the sense of responsibility that came with carrying the program forward. 

“It was a tremendous experience to lead a team that transitioned from Club Football National Champions to NCAA status, setting the foundation and pathway for future growth of the program,” Janeczek said.

For him, football was as much about discipline in the classroom as it was about performance on the field. 

“With UMass Lowell’s priority on education, being a student-athlete could be a challenge to balance,” he recalled. “I am very proud to have completed my degree in Mechanical Engineering in four years while playing football during that same period.”

Reflecting on the football program’s role within UMass Lowell Athletics, Janeczek points to a shared mindset across all sports. 

“The catalyst to this growth is the common bond that all UMass Lowell student-athletes and coaches share regardless of their sport,” he explained. “It’s the ‘never give in, never give up’ attitude which defines us. It’s special for me to know that I made a small contribution to that success.”

Though their paths differ, both Gillis and Janeczek describe experiences bound by the same themes: resilience, pride and community. And their memories, from record-setting shutouts to championship runs, are the building blocks of the River Hawk tradition.

“The experience shaped who I am, and my best friends to this day are my teammates from my time at UMass Lowell,” concluded Gillis.

Fifty years on, the legacy of those who built the foundation — and those who carried it forward — continues to shine through every River Hawk today. These stories from football and women’s soccer are representative of those across all the department’s programs, which carry the same message: UMass Lowell Athletics has always been about more than games. It has been about respect, grit and the pride of putting on that blue and white day in and day out.