A Banner Night for Stony Brook



Last night, coaches Jeff Boals, Caroline McCombs, Chuck Priore and Matt Senk joined me and a group of administrators and student-athletes at the annual Stars of Stony Brook Gala at Manhattan's Chelsea Piers. The University's signature event is vital to Stony Brook because it generates significant funds for scholarships. This year's event was especially meaningful because it also raised money for our Indoor Traning Center and baseball program while honoring three individuals who have left a permanent imprint on the history of athletics at Stony Brook.

In order to begin to understand the impact that Glenn and Eva Dubin have had on our program, one only needs to step one foot inside the Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center. Since opening in 2012, the Dubin Center has provided our student-athletes with a world class area in which to train. It continues to be a jewel among our student-athlete support areas.

Last fall, the Dubins pledged $5,000,000 in the form of a matching gift where all contributions would be matched dollar for dollar in support of a new Indoor Training Center. I invite you to join the 120 generous individuals who have already stepped forward and made a gift toward the Dubin Challenge. This is a building that we absolutely must have, so your consideration is greatly appreciated - by me and the Dubins!

The third honoree was a man who left Stony Brook in 1997 as a major league prospect at shortstop and transformed into one of the best relief pitchers the game has ever known. Joe Nathan, whose lead gift of $500,000 led to the new baseball field on campus that bears his name, was joined by a number of his former teammates at the event. It was my first opportunity to meet Joe and he was incredibly gracious as he recounted his time at Stony Brook. We're all rooting for Joe as he works his way back from an arm injury. I definitely wouldn't count him out!

We are grateful to Glenn, Eva, Joe and the countless donors who have contributed to Stony Brook Athletics over the years. I encourage you to visit SeawolvesUnited.com to learn more about the ways that you can make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes.

Jane Sallen Makes History… Twice



I was at Joe Nathan Field watching our baseball team play on Saturday when I checked the score of our softball game at UMass Lowell and saw that senior Jane Sallen had thrown a no-hitter. Anytime a pitcher tosses a no-hitter it's a huge accomplishment. When a pitcher does it twice in 24 hours - as Jane did over the weekend - it's downright jaw-dropping.

It was a foregone conclusion that Jane would be named America East Pitcher of the Week. Her stats over four games last week: an ERA of 0.69, four hits and two runs allowed over 20.1 innings. Jane and her teammates, including America East Player of the Week Allie Pisciotta (all she did was hit .588 with two home runs, two doubles and six RBI), are on the road this weekend for a crucial series at Binghamton.

Football Spring Scrimmage this Saturday



It has been a phenomenal spring for our football team, which will conclude its spring workouts with a scrimmage on Saturday at 2 p.m. I hope that you will join us at LaValle Stadium and see what your Seawolves have been working on this spring. Also, if you have not already renewed or purchased your 2016 season tickets there is no time like the present. Call 631-632-WOLF or go to StonyBrookAthletics.com to learn more.

The season kicks off at home on Thursday, September 1 against North Dakota. This is going to be a great year for our team - I can feel it!

Congratulations, Kara!

We have always known that Kara O'Donnell was a superstar in our department. Now the entire campus knows! Kara is a graduate assistant who works in our marketing department and is responsible for coordinating our social media efforts. She was recently honored by the University as student employee of the year. We are fortunate to have an amazing team of interns and student workers, and Kara is a shining example of that.

Together We Transform!


Warm regards,



Shawn