Sept. 17, 2002

Stony Brook, N.Y. - By Michael Thier, Newsday

Frank Dono followed Stony Brook University football before his grandson Timm Schroeder rewrote the school's passing records in the final Division II days from 1992-95. But Dono, 90, of Patchogue, had found it increasingly difficult to attend when rheumatoid arthritis meant he needed to begin using a wheelchair two years ago. The newly minted Seawolves Stadium has changed all that.

Dono watched comfortably from the seats for the physically challenged on the promenade as the Seawolves opened their new fan-friendly home before a sellout crowd of 8,136.

"It makes you feel like you're welcome in the place," Dono said, flanked by his son Richard, 60, of Richmond Hill, and great grandson Gerard Gausman of Oceanside. "I compare this to the Ducks' place because they both have great facilities for the handicapped."

This is what university president Shirley Strum Kenny envisioned when she authorized the $22-million project.

"Building a sports program is all about community," she said. "That's why we built a facility like this. It engenders a feeling of 'us' together." Schroeder recalled a time when taking his grandfather to a game was problematic. Now he has no worries.

"He wanted so badly to be a part of the action and it's hard sometimes in a wheelchair," said Schroeder, who attended with his family and the players he coaches at Eastport/South Manor. "The atmosphere is like nothing I could have imagined. It's something, as a former player, we dreamed of and to see it come true is magical."

Most were impressed by the largest outdoor athletic stadium in Suffolk.

"It's unbelievable," said Anna Morgera, a junior computer science major from Brooklyn. "I didn't expect this many people, either." She had estimated "five." Instead, the parking lots were filled with cars and tailgaters.

Jamie Gaither, a former midfielder on the SBU men's soccer team, interrupted a fierce Wiffle ball game to explain why the event was a must-see.

"If Stony Brook University wants to be a big-time program Division I-wise, it has to do things like this," the 2001 graduate said. "The stadium is the first step. I wish I had one more year to play here."

You didn't need a degree to understand the impact. John DeCharo, a 12- year-old from East Setauket, crunched the numbers.

"Instead of playing in front of 500 people, they're playing in front of 8,000," DeCharo said. "The stadium will bring in people. You can see it from 25A."

Toby Lustig, 59, of Shoreham, worked at the SBU admissions office in 1967, "when all this was just a mud hole." He enjoyed "observing the transition to 'a real university' over the years." With 8,136 seemingly satisfied customers, dean of physical education and athletics Richard Laskowski can relax. He contemplated fleeing the scene until he received final approval from several agencies at 5 p.m.

Friday night, Laskowski said, "Yesterday at this time, I was booking my flight to Miami."