Together We Transform Thursday – November 8, 2018
 
A Comeback for the Ages

 

Throughout the summer and increasingly over the past few weeks, I have been asked for my thoughts on our men's basketball team. After watching our team since workouts began in the summer, I feel sufficiently qualified to offer the following assessment:
 
We're very athletic, very long and very skilled. With six new guys, we're also very young but I expect us to grow throughout the season and be one of the top teams in the America East. 
 
In short, I really like our team and believe that we have all of the pieces necessary to win the league and go to the NCAA Tournament. Perhaps the strongest intangible that sets this team apart is that our guys love to compete. Guys are not just participating in drills, they are working to win drills. Practices are intense and the players are holding each other accountable.  Even water consumption has become a hotly contested event. (Our team received new water bottles that ensure proper hydration through an app that tracks how much water each student-athlete drinks throughout the day.)   
 
Heading into Tuesday night's season opener at George Washington, I was eager to see how our athletic, long and skilled team with two starters making their Division I debuts – sophomore center Jeff Otchere and freshman Miles Latimer – would come out of the gate.
 
It is hard to for a team to miss its first 18 shots and fall behind 22-0, but that's exactly what happened. Remember when I said that our strongest intangible is that our guys love to compete? That was on full display Tuesday. If you watched the game, you may have noticed that our coaches and players didn't hang their heads or yell at one another. They kept competing.
 
By now you know that we won the game in overtime, 77-74, for one of the most improbable comebacks in NCAA history. It is a testament to our team for continuing to compete… and believe.
 
Volleyball in Midst of Historic Season

 

The list of historic accomplishments for Stony Brook volleyball in 2018 is impressive:

• Program record 13-match winning streak
• Perfect 10-0 record in America East play
• Clinched America East regular season title and will host the conference tournament

 
Two regular season matches remain (at UMBC tomorrow night, at Binghamton on Sunday). Please make plans to be at Pritchard Gym on Nov. 16 for the semifinal match and Nov. 17 for the championship. It's been a storybook season thus far, and I am excited to see how far this team can go.
 
Football
 


Saturday is Senior Day as our football team hosts Delaware in the final regular season game at LaValle Stadium. It is also the most important game of the year as we compete for a playoff spot.
 
The bye week was very positive as our guys were able to recharge and our coaches got a jump-start on the game plan for Delaware. Our team is completely locked in on the task at hand. The great thing about our team is that we have tremendous leadership. I can't wait for Saturday afternoon and hope that you will join me.
 
We need you wearing red and cheering loud. Get your tickets now. It's going to be a big day for the Seawolves!
 
Swimming on Saturday!
 


Our swimming team will make its home debut on Saturday in a dual meet against Vermont. The best part about it is that the meet begins at 10 a.m., which means you can cheer on our swimmers at University Pool before heading over to LaValle for football at 1 p.m.
 
Head coach Kerry Smith has done a fantastic job since taking over in May, and she's very excited about hosting Vermont on Saturday. The team consists of 18 members, including 12 freshmen, and there has been tremendous growth throughout the fall. At the season-opening LIU Brooklyn Tri-Meet on Oct. 27, the Seawolves claimed victories as junior Kylie Danin won the 100 and 200-yard backstroke events and freshman Jessica Salmon won the 200-yard breaststroke.
 
I hope to see you on Saturday!
 
Women's Basketball Opens Tomorrow at Rutgers
 


Our women's basketball team is set to tip off the 2018-19 season tomorrow at Rutgers at 12 p.m. I truly believe that this is the year for us to win our first-ever America East championship in women's basketball.
 
Senior point guard Shorty Johnson is one of the most dynamic players that I have ever seen, and she has the ability to make everyone around her better. Shorty is joined by senior guard Jerell Matthews to make up one of the strongest backcourt tandems in the America East.
 
You can watch Shorty, Jerell and the women's basketball team in their home opener against Hofstra on Tuesday at Island Federal Arena. Get your tickets now!
 
Cross Country at NCAA Regionals
 


I want to wish our men's and women's cross country teams success as they compete this weekend at the NCAA Regional meet in Buffalo. May you have clear minds, fast feet and good weather!
 
It's a huge weekend for the Seawolves. Keep believing!
 
Warm regards,
 

Shawn