Chris Curtis ’16: Leadership Rooted in Community

As we approach the 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this October, Emmanuel College is highlighting the achievements of this year’s inductees.

In the weeks ahead, we will share profiles of the student-athletes, coaches, and supporters whose dedication, leadership, and excellence have left a lasting mark on Saints athletics.

When Chris Curtis ’16 learned he would be inducted into the Emmanuel College Athletics Hall of Fame this fall, his first instinct was not to reflect on his own statistics or accolades. Instead, he reached for his phone and texted a friend.

“The first person I reached out to was Cat Davis,” Curtis said, referring to his fellow inductee and long-time friend. “Cat has been a close friend since our early days at Emmanuel, and I’m thrilled to share this honor with her.”

That response—rooted in connection before recognition—speaks to the qualities that defined Curtis as a student-athlete. A midfielder of extraordinary consistency and skill, Curtis is widely regarded as one of the greatest men’s lacrosse players in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) history. He remains the only lacrosse player ever inducted into the GNAC Hall of Fame, which began honoring student-athletes in 2010.

Record-Breaking Career

Between 2013 and 2016, Curtis helped elevate the Saints into one of the GNAC’s most competitive programs. Along the way, he rewrote the Emmanuel record books: he remains the program’s all-time leader in both goals (138) and points (195), and is one of just eight student-athletes in College history to be named an All-American. Following his standout senior season, he was honored by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) with All-American recognition, was named GNAC Offensive Player of the Year for the second time, and earned the Andrew Yosinoff Senior Athletic Achievement Award.

Curtis was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection and led the Saints to three consecutive GNAC Championships (2014, 2015, 2016), culminating in an unforgettable NCAA Tournament appearance. He was also one of only three players in program history invited to play in the USILA Division III North-South Senior All-Star Game, a showcase for the nation’s best graduating lacrosse players.

“It’s hard to pick just a few moments,” Curtis said of his playing days. “Playing in the NCAA Tournament was unforgettable—something you dream about as a kid. But what I remember most are the friendships: the practices, the bus rides, the road trips. That’s where the lifelong bonds were formed.”

Building Community on and off the Field

Those bonds came quickly. From his first week on campus, when fall ball began, Curtis found himself surrounded by a cohort of new teammates. “You step on campus and jump right into fall ball, immediately creating friendships” he said. “Your teammates become family, you spend the bulk of your time together both on and off the field. That network made the transition to Emmanuel much smoother.”

The demands of college athletics, he added, offered lessons in discipline and balance. “I thrive on structure, and the lacrosse program provided a framework that allowed me to find my footing both on and off the field,” Curtis said. “The schedule kept me disciplined—lifts or runs in the morning, classes in between, practice in the afternoon. It forces you to balance athletics, academics, and social life. You can’t let one outweigh the others.”

Curtis credits his growth to both teammates and mentors. He cites teammates Nick DelMonaco ‘16 and Brendan Gallagher ‘17 as two of the main peers who pushed him daily, and longtime Coach Brendan McWilliams as a steady influence both during and after his playing career.

“Coach McWilliams believed in me, put me in a system where I could succeed, and was always a great source of guidance—from the moment I chose Emmanuel and even now,” Curtis said. “When my father passed in 2021, he was one of the first people to reach out. He’s been a lifelong mentor, his guidance and mentorship is something I am forever grateful for.”

That sense of Emmanuel as more than a college, but a community, carried over into the classroom as well. Curtis, an accounting major, credits James Doherty, former Visiting Assistant Professor of Accounting, and Eustace Phillip, former Associate Professor of Accounting, with preparing him for the rigors of professional life. “Both Professor Doherty and Professor Phillip were positive influences on my academic experience at Emmanuel,” Curtis said. “They prepared me for the reality of transitioning from academics to professional life, helping me to understand the attributes necessary to find success in my career.”

Staying Connected and Giving Back

Since graduating, Curtis has built a career in finance, working for a venture capital fund in Boston’s Back Bay. He remains active in athletics, competing in Mass Golf and USGA amateur events. He also serves on the Emmanuel College Alumni Association Board, a role he values for keeping him connected to the College.

“It’s easy to drift away after graduation, life gets busy both personally and professionally once you step outside the gates of Emmanuel” he said. “But this role helps me stay in touch with Emmanuel, support Coach [Trevor] Craven and the lacrosse program, and serve as a contact point for Alumni. Being elected by my peers means a great deal, and I’m grateful for the support and the opportunity to give back to a place that means so much to me.”

Outside of work and competition, Curtis is the President of Team Cork Inc., a family charity which raises money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Patient Assistance Programs. He also spends time on Cape Cod, where his family has roots.

Looking back, Curtis is clear about what Emmanuel gave him. “The friendships, without a doubt,” he said. “Emmanuel set me up for professional success, but the relationships are what stand out most. My best friends are the guys I played lacrosse with. They’re still the ones I call to grab a beer on a Friday night.”

As he prepares for induction into the Hall of Fame—his second, after being recognized by the GNAC two years ago—Curtis sees the honor not as a capstone, but as a reminder of a shared journey.

“Most importantly, take pride in what you represent,” he said, reflecting on advice he often shares with younger athletes. “You play for the name on the front of your jersey, for the school, not just for yourself. When you step on the field, you’re representing your teammates, your coaches, the student body, and everyone who wore that uniform before you. Everyone who came before you helped build that culture—your responsibility is to advance it and leave the program better than you found it.”

For Curtis, that responsibility has become legacy. And this fall, alongside his teammates, coaches, and close friend Cat Davis ‘16, that legacy will be enshrined.