We're here. Des Moines is lovely this time of year, especially tonight when the men's basketball team sets sail on their maiden voyage into the NCAA Tournament.

The euphoria that has swept through our campus and community since Saturday's America East championship win still lingers and I don't expect it to dissipate anytime soon.

I was not here in 2012 when our baseball team made its historic run to Omaha, but the energy of that phenomenal run and what it meant to our school still resonates. The same will be said of the 2015-16 Stony Brook men's basketball team many years into the future. Why? It isn't about one game or one player but rather the collective group and all that it achieved.



It starts with the ultimate architect in Steve Pikiell, who brought a blueprint to Stony Brook and - brick by brick - built a program that is now a model of consistency on and off of the court. First, and most importantly, his players graduate. This is what he is most proud of - and rightfully so. His teams win (at least 20 wins in six out of the last seven years) and his players love playing for him. How much do they love playing for him? Ask Ahmad Walker. Ahmad left Stony Brook after his freshman season and, after drawing significant attention from major conference programs following a stellar season at a Kansas community college, decided to come back to Stony Brook as a junior.

It also takes great players. Jameel Warney became a household name after his Superman-like performance on Saturday. His one-handed shot late in the game was simply one of the most athletic plays that I have ever seen in any sport. He deserves the attention, as do Carson Puriefoy and Rayshaun McGrew. Our three seniors sacrificed so much to lift Stony Brook into the rarified air of the NCAA Tournament.

It continues with dedicated assistant coaches, and Steve is fortunate to have Jay Young, Lamar Chapman, Dan Rickard and Bryan Dougher on the bench and in the trenches with him every day. There is a special chemistry and respect that exists among the staff. It's something that you can feel when you walk into the basketball offices.

Success doesn't happen overnight and now the nation gets to learn a little bit more about Stony Brook. Throughout the countless interviews that Steve did this week, he was always quick to talk about our school ("Stony Brook is one of the top public academic schools in the country" and "we have a world class hospital and cancer center") as well as our other teams ("our baseball team went to the College World Series in 2012" and "our lacrosse teams are nationally ranked"). This is the beauty - and opportunity - of a national platform such as the NCAA Tournament.

This brings us here. In one of my favorite movies, Field of Dreams, the ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson asks, "Is this heaven?"

No, it's Iowa.

Women's Basketball Reaches Postseason



Our women's team joined in the postseason party as Caroline McCombs' squad earned a bid to the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI). It was a homecoming for Caroline as she returned to her alma mater Youngstown State, where she is a member of the Hall of Fame. Her team fell short but continued to show tremendous progress and I am more excited than ever about the future of Stony Brook women's basketball.

Men's Lacrosse Moving Up



With convincing wins over 16th-ranked Rutgers and 12th-ranked Hofstra, our men's lacrosse team continued its rise up the national rankings this week. Jim Nagle has talked a great deal about his team's leadership and selflessness, and it is showing on the field. I am very excited for the opportunity that awaits on Saturday: a matchup against No. 10 Albany.

Football Springs In to Action

It may be March but spring football is here! The team will begin its workouts on Tuesday and will wrap up with the spring game on April 23 at LaValle Stadium. Chuck Priore is with us in Des Moines supporting the men's basketball team, but he can't wait to get started on Tuesday. I definitely share the feeling as I think the 2016 season is going to be a great one for Stony Brook football. All practices are open to the public so come out and watch anytime. For a schedule of practices please visit StonyBrookAthletics.com.

As for tonight's game, let's have some fun… Keep believing. Go Seawolves!

Together We Transform!

Warm regards,

Shawn