Aug. 24, 2005

Question:
What plans does SBU have, if any, to upgrade football to scholarship Div IAA?
Thanks, Ray

Answer:
Hi Ray,

Thank you for your question and your interest in Stony Brook Athletics and specifically our football program. As you may be aware, Stony Brook is entering it's seventh year as a Division I member of the NCAA. We made the transition from Division III to Division II to Division I in the quickest time permitted by NCAA policies for institutions wanting to upgrade the competitive level of their athletics programs. Thus, we have come "very far, very fast" as an athletics department. There is no greater symbol of our commitment to Division I athletics (and our football program) than Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium, which opened to a sellout crowd of over 8,000 fans for SB's first home game of the 2003 season. Football is important to our athletics program and to the university. A successful football program can serve as a catalyst to enhance the identity, pride and spirit of the entire campus. Our football program is also entering it's seventh season competing as an affiliate member for football in the Northeast Conference. Do we have aspirations to upgrade the competitive level of our Football program? Yes. That is evidenced by the upgrades to our future schedules that include games with Brown, Bucknell, Georgetown, Hofstra, Lehigh and New Hampshire. Do we know exactly where our aspirations to upgrade our football program will take us? No. We are in the process of developing a five year strategic plan for athletics, which will include an evaluation of the direction of our football program. In the meantime, we are committed to the competitive success of our football program in the Northeast Conference. It is a logical fit for us right now, both competitively and financially. While we have achieved a modicum of success in this league, it is important that we maximize our current resources to field a team of championship caliber that can compete annually for the Northeast Conference title.

Thank you again for your interest in Stony Brook Athletics. We hope to see you in the stands this year. If not, please continue to follow us through our website.

Jim