By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Jack Lavanchy was looking for a change after his first college football season in 2015.

The former Walpole High School standout had spent the year at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., where he was listed as a defensive back/wide receiver and appeared in three games as a freshman.

"I was playing defensive back and I didn't really get the opportunity I had hoped for," recalled Lavanchy.

So he decided to transfer, seeking a program that would line him up strictly as a wide receiver, and found a college that did not need much of an introduction.

Bridgewater State University is where Lavanchy's mother, Anne Marie, had attended and it is also where one of his Walpole coaches, Dave Wall, had played wide receiver.

"Playing offense and fighting for a position right away at Bridgewater was really attractive, to be honest," said Lavanchy. "The stars aligned in terms of values, culture and the team aspect."

The connection was made, and Lavanchy became an elite wide receiver for the Bears from 2016-18, setting a number of program records in three seasons.

Now, Lavanchy is headed into the BSU Athletics Hall of Fame as he will be inducted in a ceremony on Friday night at the Rondileau Student Union Ballroom.

The 2019 graduate was the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, made the all-conference first team as a junior and senior and was on the New England Football Writers Divisions 2-3 team in 2017 and 2018.

He owns BSU records for career catches (225, breaking the mark of 182 set by Travis Bassett) and receiving yards (2,982, surpassing Matt Green's mark of 2,765).

Lavanchy had nine games with at least 10 receptions (it happened only six other times in program history) and set BSU records with 14 catches for 254 yards against Western Connecticut State in 2017.

He has the two best single-season reception totals of 97 in 2018 and 80 in 2017 after the previous mark was 69, held by Green.

Lavanchy caught passes from Danny Higgins in 2016 when the Bears reached the NCAA Division III tournament, losing in overtime to Alfred, and then Stefano D'Emilia the next two seasons.

"The coaches put me in the right spot,'' said Lavanchy. "They gave me the opportunity and it was amazing. (The quarterbacks) kept finding me.

"I didn't really know too much about Bridgewater when I was getting recruited. My mom had gone there, so I knew a little bit about the school but not much about the program. The team welcomed me with open arms from (former) coach (Chuck) Denune, coach (Joe) Verria, (former assistant Pat) Cal (Callahan), and coach (Rene) Moyen.

"They really stressed the culture, the team environment and the accountability. Once I heard that, I knew I made the right choice."

BSU went 8-0 in the MASCAC and reached the NCAAs in Lavanchy's first season, then played in the New England Bowl, winning over Salve Regina when he was a senior.

The Bears' passing game played a key role in their success with Higgins and D'Emilia finding Lavanchy.

"Starting day one, going in to lift with everyone, I knew we had the potential to be great," said Lavanchy, who ranks second at BSU with 29 touchdowns catches. "I'm sure (on induction weekend) the memories will fall in of all the good times, all the success we had and all the challenges we overcame as a team that made us tighter and tougher.

"When I came to Bridgewater, I didn't think there was a chance (of being a Hall of Famer). I was just happy to help the team win a couple of extra games. I was just hoping to get a little more playing time on offense and help the team win."

Instead, Lavanchy quickly developed into a record-setting pass catcher who had incredible production in three superb seasons after transferring.

Now, he will take his place in the BSU Hall of Fame.

"I would see the people (inductees) at halftime during our homecoming games and would imagine what an honor it would be to be part of that group," said Lavanchy.

"What an honor. It's amazing. The goal was to win a championship and get to the playoffs. This is the icing on the cake. It's cool to be associated with all the people that have gone into the Hall of Fame, all the incredible names and achievements they accomplished."

And Jack Lavanchy made it happen after finding Bridgewater State following one year at Merrimack.

"It was," he said, "one of the best decisions I've made. I made friends I'll have for a lifetime. I had coaches who gave me an opportunity to excel and teammates who helped me achieve those goals."