It's hard to believe but basketball season officially begins this weekend.
 
Sunday is the first day that our teams can start practicing for the 2016-17 season and, judging by the excitement among our student-athletes, it can't come soon enough.



Although practice starts on Sunday, both teams have been participating in offseason workouts since July. One of the benefits of working in the building attached to Island Federal Credit Union is that I can poke my head in and watch the workouts from time to time. My sense is that both teams feel is if they have something to prove during the 2016-17 season. For the men, it is an opportunity to prove that they can defend their America East championship despite losing Jameel Warney, Carson Puriefoy and Rayshaun McGrew. The women are eager to prove that they can compete for their first America East title in school history.
 
This is a season unlike any other in recent memory. Of the eight full-time coaches that make up our men's and women's basketball staff, all but two are new and one of them – women's Associate Head Coach Dan Rickard – was with the men's team last year.
 
Since he was announced as our new head coach in April, Jeff Boals has hit the ground in a full sprint. In just a few short months he has already had a major impact on our program by laying the foundation upon which the future of the Stony Brook men's basketball program can be built. He brought in two impact players in the spring – junior college transfers Junior Saintel and UC Iroegbu – who we expect to be major contributors.



Caroline McCombs has been equally busy since the end of last season, hiring a new staff and welcoming five new players to her program. Guard Lauren Williams, who sat out last season after transferring from Florida Atlantic, is another Seawolf who will make her debut this year. To say that the workouts have been spirited would be an understatement.
 
Our expectation is to win championships and we have two coaches who have us poised to do so. As with any season in college athletics, it is easy to focus on the student-athletes who have moved on and wonder how we will replace their production. Although I always miss those student-athletes who have moved on, I focus on who we do have and, based on what I have seen thus far, it is going to be a very exciting year.
 
Facility Updates

I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the status of our main facility projects, including LaValle Stadium, University Pool and the future Stony Brook Indoor Training Center.
 


Starting with the end zone project in LaValle, we are awaiting bids from qualified contractors to be submitted in the very near future. The project that will add 2,000 seats, a building for restrooms and concessions, and a new ticket booth has an estimated completion date of Spring 2017. The proposal for this project includes a very aggressive timeline so we look forward to learning more specifics after the contractor bids are opened within the next few weeks.
 
The excitement surrounding the reopening of University Pool is building. Construction is ongoing but the end is in sight. The current timeline calls for a completion date of late November with an official opening in January when students return to Stony Brook for the start of the spring semester. As the pool plans take shape, so too do our plans for hiring a coach and building a women's swimming and diving team for the 2017-18 season.



Finally, our goal of having the Stony Brook Indoor Training Center by next year remains a priority. The Dubin Challenge has been met and we will announce our plans in the very near future. We have begun looking at other indoor facilities and have a good idea of what we would like to build at Stony Brook. In addition to the aforementioned projects, we have installed new turf at home plate and each of the bases at Joe Nathan Field. A new batter's eye will also be going up very soon. Softball will also see a new addition at University Field in the form of a new scoreboard. 
 
Jameel Warney Update


 
I am often asked whether I think that Jameel Warney will make the Dallas Mavericks, who opened training camp earlier this week. My answer is always the same: I do believe that he will make it, but it is going to come down to a numbers game. There is no question that Jameel can play in the NBA. He does so many little things well and no one is going to outwork him. Even though he might be considered undersized for a big man, he has a seven-foot wingspan and proved throughout his four years at Stony Brook that he can defend and outmuscle taller opponents.
 
He looks outstanding in his No. 32 Mavericks jersey! Hopefully he will be wearing it well into the future.

Together We Transform!

Warm regards,

Shawn